Promoting Health, Restoring Independence, Improving Quality of Life
Introduction
TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association recognizes that good health is a fundamental human right and the foundation for dignity, independence, education, employment, and social participation. Refugees with disabilities often face multiple barriers to accessing quality healthcare and rehabilitation services due to displacement, poverty, discrimination, inaccessible facilities, limited transportation, language barriers, and lack of specialized services.
The Health & Rehabilitation Program is designed to improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of refugees with disabilities by promoting equitable access to healthcare, rehabilitation, assistive technologies, psychosocial support, health education, and referral services.
TESFA works closely with government health institutions, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, humanitarian organizations, disability service providers, universities, and development partners to ensure that refugees with disabilities receive quality, inclusive, and person-centered healthcare.
We believe that healthy individuals build healthy families, stronger communities, and a more inclusive society.
Background
Health challenges among refugees with disabilities are often more complex than those faced by the general population. Many have experienced conflict, forced displacement, trauma, interrupted medical care, poor living conditions, malnutrition, and limited rehabilitation services.
Persons with disabilities may also require long-term medical care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, assistive devices, mental health services, and continuous follow-up. Unfortunately, these services are often inaccessible or unaffordable.
TESFA was established to bridge these gaps by advocating for inclusive healthcare systems and connecting members with essential health and rehabilitation services.
Why This Program Matters
Good health enables refugees with disabilities to:
- Live independently.
- Participate in education and employment.
- Improve physical mobility.
- Enhance mental well-being.
- Reduce preventable illnesses.
- Increase social participation.
- Improve self-confidence.
- Achieve greater independence.
- Contribute actively to their communitie.
Without proper healthcare and rehabilitation, many refugees with disabilities remain isolated, unemployed, and vulnerable to poverty and poor health outcomes.
Vision
A future where every refugee with a disability enjoys equal access to quality healthcare, rehabilitation services, and opportunities to live healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives.
Mission
To improve the health and well-being of refugees with disabilities through accessible healthcare, rehabilitation services, health education, psychosocial support, partnerships, and advocacy for inclusive health systems.
Goal
To improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of refugees with disabilities by increasing access to comprehensive healthcare and rehabilitation services.
Objectives
The Health & Rehabilitation Program aims to:
- Improve access to quality healthcare services.
- Promote disability-inclusive healthcare.
- Strengthen rehabilitation services.
- Improve mental health and psychosocial well-being.
- Increase access to assistive devices.
- Promote disease prevention and healthy lifestyles.
- Improve maternal and child health.
- Strengthen referral systems.
- Increase health awareness.
- Build partnerships with health institutions.
Our Services
TESFA provides a wide range of health and rehabilitation services.
Medical Referral Services
TESFA assists members in accessing hospitals, health centers, specialist clinics, rehabilitation centers, and community-based health services.
Rehabilitation Services
We facilitate access to rehabilitation programs that help individuals improve mobility, independence, communication, and daily functioning.
These include:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR)
- Functional Rehabilitation
- Mobility Training
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Displacement and disability often expose refugees to stress, trauma, anxiety, and depression.
TESFA promotes mental well-being through:
- Individual counselling
- Group counselling
- Peer support groups
- Trauma-informed care
- Family counselling
- Stress management sessions
- Emotional resilience training
Assistive Devices Support
Many refugees require assistive devices to live independently.
TESFA works with partners to facilitate access to:
- Wheelchairs
- Crutches
- Walking frames
- Prosthetic limbs
- Orthotic devices
- White canes
- Hearing aids
- Reading glasses
- Communication aids
- Adaptive equipment
Health Education
TESFA conducts regular awareness sessions on:
- Personal hygiene
- Nutrition
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Maternal health
- Child health
- HIV/AIDS prevention
- Tuberculosis awareness
- Malaria prevention
- Vaccination
- Disability prevention
- Healthy lifestyles
Maternal, Child and Family Health
Special attention is given to:
- Pregnant women with disabilities.
- Mothers of children with disabilities.
- Child nutrition.
- Early childhood development.
- Immunization awareness.
- Parenting education.
Community Health Promotion
TESFA promotes healthy communities through:
- Community outreach.
- Home visits.
- Health campaigns.
- Mobile health services.
- Community awareness sessions.
- Hygiene promotion.
Key Activities
The Health & Rehabilitation Program conducts:
- Health awareness campaigns.
- Medical outreach activities.
- Rehabilitation assessments.
- Physiotherapy referral.
- Mental health workshops.
- Disability screening.
- Nutrition education.
- HIV/AIDS awareness.
- Vaccination campaigns.
- Distribution of assistive devices.
- Community rehabilitation.
- Home-based support.
- Health worker training.
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities events.
- World Health Day celebrations.
Target Beneficiaries
This program primarily serves:
- Refugees with physical disabilities.
- Persons with visual impairments.
- Persons with hearing impairments.
- Persons with intellectual disabilities.
- Women with disabilities.
- Children with disabilities.
- Older persons with disabilities.
- Refugees living with chronic illnesses.
- Caregivers and family members.
- Host communities where appropriate.
Expected Outcomes
TESFA expects the program to achieve:
- Improved access to healthcare.
- Better physical rehabilitation.
- Improved mental health.
- Increased independence.
- Better nutrition.
- Improved maternal and child health.
- Increased use of assistive devices.
- Reduced preventable illnesses.
- Increased health awareness.
- Better quality of life.
Success Indicators
Progress will be measured through:
- Number of beneficiaries receiving health services.
- Number of rehabilitation referrals.
- Number of assistive devices distributed.
- Number of counselling sessions conducted.
- Number of health awareness campaigns.
- Beneficiary satisfaction.
- Improved mobility and independence.
- Increased participation in community activities.
- Improved health outcomes.
How We Implement This Program
TESFA implements this program through:
- Community health outreach.
- Partnerships with hospitals and health centres.
- Collaboration with rehabilitation centres.
- Health education campaigns.
- Community volunteers.
- Referral systems.
- Mobile health initiatives.
- Monitoring and follow-up.
- Evidence-based planning.
Strategic Partnerships
TESFA works closely with:
- Ministry of Health.
- Regional Health Bureaus.
- Public and private hospitals.
- Health centres.
- Rehabilitation centres.
- Disability organizations.
- UN agencies.
- International NGOs.
- National NGOs.
- Medical universities.
- Professional health associations.
- Community health workers.
Sustainability Strategy
To ensure lasting impact, TESFA will:
- Train community health volunteers.
- Promote preventive healthcare.
- Strengthen partnerships with health providers.
- Build community awareness.
- Mobilize resources for assistive devices.
- Support community-based rehabilitation.
- Encourage peer support networks.
- Advocate for disability-inclusive health policies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can access TESFA’s health services?
Registered members with disabilities, and in some cases other vulnerable refugees, may receive health information, referrals, and support based on available resources and partnerships.
Does TESFA operate its own hospital or clinic?
No. TESFA works through partnerships with hospitals, health centres, rehabilitation facilities, and specialized service providers.
Can TESFA help me obtain a wheelchair or other assistive device?
TESFA collaborates with partners to facilitate access to assistive devices when resources are available and based on assessed needs.
Does TESFA provide mental health support?
Yes. The program offers psychosocial support, counselling referrals, and peer support activities to promote emotional well-being.
How can I request rehabilitation services?
Members can contact TESFA through the website, email, or office to receive an assessment and referral to appropriate rehabilitation services.
Get Involved
Good health is everyone’s responsibility. You can support this program by:
- Partnering with TESFA to provide medical or rehabilitation services.
- Donating wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, or other assistive devices.
- Supporting health awareness campaigns.
- Volunteering as a healthcare professional.
- Sponsoring rehabilitation and mental health initiatives.
- Promoting inclusive healthcare within your institution or community.
- Advocating for equal access to health services for refugees with disabilities.
Together, we can build healthier, stronger, and more inclusive communities where every refugee with a disability has the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and hope.
Contact the Health & Rehabilitation Program
TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association
📧 Email: health@tesfa.com.et
🌐 Website: www.tesfa.com.et
“Health is the foundation of dignity, independence, and opportunity. Together, we can ensure that no refugee with a disability is left behind.”
Quick Links: Back to Programs
