Community Participation: the Needed Approach To Primary and Secondary Prevention of Disability & Rehabilitation of the Disabled in Rural Communities

Abstract

[This article argues that in the social context of a country like Bangladesh where most people are rural, illiterate and conditioned by cultural prejudices about disability, and modern sophisticated health technology cannot be made available to the mass population, primary and secondary prevention of disability is to be stressed. In this connection, the scope of such preventive measures have been outlined. Further, it has been indicated that the conventional approaches to the problem of disability in the style of those prevailing in the developed countries emphasizing institutionalized care are proved inadequate or unsatisfactory in the conditions of an underdeveloped (or developing) country. The problem of disability can be greatly minimized in the under developed countries by making the masses aware of the causes of disability and by providing some basic facilities for taking early measures when any organic impairment occurs. The rural communities can be inspired and assisted to have organized efforts for prevention of disability and also for rehabilitation of many of those who are already disabled by using facilities at the local community level. The article has charted the specific activities which need to be undertaken towards these goals; and the existing infrastructure facilities which may conveniently be used in a developing country have been indicated.]