WHO is developing a Disability Action Agenda, a national strategic planning tool that provides step-by-step guidance for countries to embed disability inclusion into existing health system planning. The tool will enable Ministries of Health to implement the recommendations of the World Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities and serve as a foundational resource to help Member States fulfil their commitment to achieving the highest attainable standards of health for all, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and World Health Assembly resolution WHA74.8.
Implementation of the Disability Action Guide in Montenegro: What is the current status?
Under the leadership of Minister of Health Vojislav Šimun, Montenegro became the first country in the European region to implement the WHO Disability Action Guidelines and ensure equal access to health services for people with disabilities. To mark the start of this process, the Ministry of Health, with the support of WHO, organized a high-level event in November 2023, attended by Minister of Health Vojislav Šimun, Deputy Prime Minister for Labour, Education, Health and Social Policy Srdjan Pavičević, UN System Resident Coordinator for Montenegro Peter Lundberg, WHO Country Director for Montenegro Mina Vlajović, representatives of various governmental institutions, UN agencies, health service providers, civil society and disability organizations.
Dr. Vojislav Simun said that the government will “work tirelessly” to provide universal health care and access for all its citizens. He said: “Recently, the government has adopted a strategy to protect persons with disabilities from discrimination and promote equality, which focuses on access to health services for persons with disabilities and is dedicated to reducing discrimination and barriers in access to health services. There are important steps we need to take and a lot of work lies ahead of us. I therefore welcome the World Health Organization’s efforts to improve equality for persons with disabilities and the support that is being provided to the Government of Montenegro in this direction.”
Peter Lundberg, UN System Resident Coordinator for Montenegro, called for action, saying, “The time for change is now. We must accelerate the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes, protects and ensures respect for the human rights of persons with disabilities.” Peter Lundberg also reiterated the UN’s strong support for Montenegro, saying, “The UN supports Montenegro on this path and I assure you that you are not alone in this challenge. Achieving health for all, including persons with disabilities, requires partnerships and cooperation. The UN team is with you every step of the way.”
Mina Vlajovic, WHO Country Director for Montenegro, highlighted what could go wrong if we do not promote disability inclusion in the health sector, saying: “Whatever barriers there are to accessing health care for people with disabilities, they hold us back from humanity, inclusive societies and prosperity.” Dr. Vlajovic concluded: “The level of health care for people with disabilities is a litmus test and a measure of our true commitment to achieving universal health care and creating healthier and safer societies for all.”
As part of the implementation process of the Disability Action Agenda, the Ministry of Health has established a Working Group made up of government representatives from various ministries, people with disabilities and their representative organizations, the Public Health Institute, the National Health Fund, health service providers, the National Ombudsman and UN sister agencies. The Working Group convenes regularly by the Ministry of Health to provide ongoing input and support during the process, making the implementation of the Disability Action Agenda a highly collaborative process to promote meaningful progress in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
A comprehensive situation assessment on health equity for persons with disabilities in Montenegro was completed in November 2023. The situation assessment is based on a report prepared by WHO and identifies specific gaps and opportunities regarding the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the country’s health system. The assessment was successfully completed during a two-day workshop hosted by the Ministry of Health and supported by WHO, where members of the Working Group discussed, complemented and agreed upon the findings of this report.
Development of the Action Plan – The Ministry of Health of Montenegro organized a two-day workshop on 19-20 February 2024 to identify and rank priority activities to make the country’s health system more inclusive. The identified activities are closely aligned with the national health sector priorities outlined in the National Health Strategy. The action plan will be finalized in April and the implementation phase will begin.