CNAO: 2024 Review of Rehabilitation Activities in Togo

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Extract from the article: Le Centre National d'Appareillage Orthopédique (CNAO), sous l'égide du Ministère de la Santé et de l'Hygiène Publique, a procédé du 19 au 20 mars 2024 à la revue des activités de réadaptation au Togo. L’objectif est d’évaluer les progrès...

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The National Center for Orthopedic Equipment (CNAO), under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, conducted a review of rehabilitation activities in Togo from March 19 to 20, 2024. The objective was to assess progress, identify challenges, and formulate strategic recommendations to improve access to and quality of services for people with disabilities. The workshop was officially opened by Mrs. Tebié Abidé épouse Sekou, representative of the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene.

According to estimates from the latest 2022 General Census, about 10% of the Togolese population lives with a disability—whether motor, sensory, or intellectual. However, access to rehabilitation services remains limited due to a lack of infrastructure, qualified professionals, and insufficient awareness of the rights of people with disabilities.

To address these challenges, the CNAO—now a reference institution for rehabilitation at the national and international levels—took the initiative to organize this inclusive national review to evaluate progress and explore ways to improve services. The main objective of this workshop was to create a platform for discussion and presentation of rehabilitation activities in Togo.

For two days, stakeholders exchanged on practices and strategies implemented to enhance access and quality of rehabilitation services, identified gaps and challenges in service delivery, and proposed solutions to strengthen infrastructure and human resources in the rehabilitation sector.

Strengthening Rehabilitation Care in Togo

The Director of CNAO, Lakna Tokpessa, emphasized that the institution receives only 40% of its annual budget in subsidies, which significantly limits its ability to meet the population’s needs. “At the end of this review, we must define new strategic directions to better serve the Togolese population. The recommendations must consider emerging challenges,” he stated.

The CNAO is strongly committed to providing a better quality of life for people with disabilities, through adapted public policies and inclusive community initiatives.

In her opening speech, the representative of the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene highlighted the progress made in rehabilitation services:

"Rehabilitation offers individuals facing physical, sensory, or mental impairments the opportunity to regain their autonomy and actively participate in social and economic life. Our indicators show significant progress: the number of patients benefiting from rehabilitation services has increased substantially, and access times to care have been considerably reduced. Support for indigent individuals and people with disabilities has been strengthened through financial assistance programs, partial free care for the most vulnerable, and the distribution of adapted orthopedic devices. These actions, combined with continuous training of our teams, ensure equitable and high-quality care."

The Role of DAHW in Strengthening Rehabilitation in Togo

The Deutsche Lepra- und Tuberkulosehilfe (DAHW), or German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association, has played a crucial role in strengthening rehabilitation services in Togo, particularly in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities and fighting neglected tropical diseases.

Through various initiatives, DAHW has contributed to improving access to rehabilitation care, raising awareness of social inclusion challenges, and strengthening local capacities in supporting people living with disabilities.

"We provide support at all levels of rehabilitation, including the manufacturing of prostheses, orthoses, and other assistive devices. We also intervene in community healthcare services, ensuring that people can benefit from localized rehabilitation programs. At the community level, leaders and close relatives of patients must become sources of support. This will enable people with disabilities to overcome discrimination and self-exclusion, actively participate in community life, and contribute to the harmonious development of society," emphasized Noël Djakpa, CBID Focal Point at DAHW Togo.

A Holistic Approach to Rehabilitation in Togo

Concrete measures are being taken in Togo to improve access to quality rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation in the country covers various fields, ranging from physical rehabilitation to psychosocial rehabilitation, with a particular focus on people affected by physical disabilities, congenital malformations, or diseases such as leprosy and polio.

This review of rehabilitation activities marks a crucial step toward strengthening services for people with disabilities in Togo. The recommendations and strategies developed will be essential in ensuring sustainable and inclusive rehabilitation solutions for the benefit of all.

Raymond DZAKPATA