Zhang Haidi attends the CPPCC plenary meeting on Mar 11.[photo/chinanews.com]

Zhang Haidi attended the CPPCC plenary meeting on March 11 and delivered a speech on rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.

Rehabilitation services are the most urgent need of persons with disabilities and an important part of the national public program. According to surveys there are over 13 million registered persons with disabilities who need the services, but meeting that need is hindered in China by a lack of professionals.

The number of Chinese professionals in rehabilitation services is seriously inadequate. It is estimated that about 400,000 rehabilitation therapists are needed, but there are currently fewer than 20,000. The education of rehabilitation professionals is lagging behind compared with that in developed countries.

The State Council published Regulations on Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in February 2017. The regulations require that programs for rehabilitation services should be established in universities and colleges, and certain measures were put forward in order to cultivate more professionals in this area.

A Chinese rehabilitation university as part of a complete education system will be established. Education standards for rehabilitation professionals will be delineated, and an education network of different levels put in place. Finally, international cooperation and cultivation of a group of leading talents in rehabilitation services will be encouraged.