Most people with special needs live in poor conditions without access to basic needs, including rehabilitation services. Photo credit: WHO.People with special needs are a vulnerable section of society. They face stigma, discrimination and marginalization, and this increases the likelihood that their human rights will be violated.

In an effort to support people with special needs, the WHO Egypt country office is developing a plan of action to assist in the implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in health and social information standards and legislation in Egypt. 

The ICF is essential to ensuring the collection of accurate and complete health care data that correctly reflect the care provided to individuals.  

The ICF provides a framework to code a wide range of information about health (for example, diagnosis, functioning, disability and reasons for contact with health services) and uses standardized language, permitting communication about health and health care around the world and among various disciplines and sciences. The goal is to apply a unified standard that includes a language and framework for the description of health and health states.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health