• Ear surgery of a little boy

Inclusive Health Initiative

Inclusive health is a vital approach to healthcare that ensures everyone, especially persons with disabilities and other affected groups, has equal access to health services. This approach focuses on removing barriers to care, promoting equity, and fostering participation. It significantly contributes to achieving universal health coverage, ensuring that all people receive the necessary health services.

Eye-patch-removal and post-surgery-examination: The CBM programme officer takes off the bandages from the Young patient and cleans the wounds. Then he administers eyedrops.
Eye-patch-removal and post-surgery-examination: The CBM programme officer takes off the bandages from the Young patient and cleans the wounds. Then he administers eyedrops.

Health is a fundamental human right, and inclusive health is crucial to the broader movement towards health equity. This principle reinforces the idea that health should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or abilities.

Global commitments to inclusive health
The Universal Health Coverage Declaration and the Alma-Ata Declaration on primary health care underscore the importance of equitable access to health services, universal access, equity, and community participation. These commitments highlight the global recognition of inclusive health as essential for achieving health equity and ensuring no one is left behind.

CBM’s Inclusive Health Initiative
To further enhance inclusion, comprehensiveness, and equitable access to health services at the community level, CBM’s Inclusive Health Initiative (formerly the Inclusive Eye Health Initiative) now encompasses Eye Health, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Ear Hearing Care (EHC), and Physical Rehabilitation. This expansion facilitates an integrated approach to healthcare, addressing multiple health needs holistically. Patients with interrelated health conditions receive comprehensive care and improved access to essential services. Our approach ensures that persons with disabilities fully integrate into the mainstream healthcare system.

Operational Principles of the Inclusive Health Initiative

An audio technician screening patient and her 3 months old daughter Jemima. The baby suffers from otitis media.
An audio technician screening patient and her 3 months old daughter Jemima. The baby suffers from otitis media.

Equitable access
We invest in the progressive development of services to meet population needs. Health facilities and their services and equipment are accessible to all individuals, regardless of socio-economic status or ability to pay for care.

Person-centred Care
We deliver individualised, patient-centred care to meet diverse needs, ensuring that all communication and medical instructions are available in accessible formats.

Integration
We promote the seamless inclusion of disability-specific services into broader health systems to avoid segregation and ensure comprehensive care.

Quality service provision
We encourage and monitor the quality and impact of healthcare services.

Participation and community engagement
We encourage active involvement from people of all backgrounds in decision-making processes about their healthcare to enhance ownership and relevance.

National health systems strengthening
We collaborate with government health structures at all levels to ensure scalability and the positive impact of our work.

Capacity building
We develop the health workforce at all levels to meet the needs of service provision and educate healthcare providers on the diverse needs and rights of various populations to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Partnerships and collaboration
We build strong alliances with other organisations, communities, and stakeholders to enhance the reach and effectiveness of health interventions.

Sustainable inclusion
We ensure that inclusive practices are embedded in health systems, policies, and practices to create lasting change.

Publications and resources

  • Cover of the Eye Health Report 2024

    CBM's Eye Health Report 2024

    pdf5.0MB, Accessible

    Millions of children globally suffer from untreated eye diseases. How can affordable eye care change their lives? Learn about CBM's efforts and key projects in 30 countries.

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  • CBM NTD Annual Report 2024

    pdf7.3MB, Accessible

    In 2023, CBM made a remarkable impact, reaching an unprecedented number of people by delivering life-changing services focused on trachoma, onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted worm infections and schistosomiasis. We successfully reached 54.1 million community members, providing them with much-needed care and support. Our commitment to preventive measures was demonstrated through the administration of 88.7 million doses of preventive chemotherapy, significantly reducing the burden of NTDs in high-risk communities

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