A review of access of persons with disabilities to health care services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Background: The World Health Organization estimates that 14.7% of the Eastern Mediterranean Region population has significant disabilities, and this figure could increase due to aging, the burden of noncommunicable disease, war, and disaster. Aim: To identify and document the facilitators and barriers to accessing health care services by persons with disabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Methods: We searched Medline and Web of Science for peer-reviewed literature published in English or Arabic on health equity for persons with disabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, from 2011 to July 2023. Results: Thirty-six of the 23 284 publications identified met the inclusion criteria. Disability inclusion in health service provision varied across several countries in the region. Financial barriers, inaccessible or unaffordable transportation, and lack of training of health professionals were the most reported challenges to accessing health care for persons with disability. The most reported facilitators of access were application of spatial accessibility models for severe disabilities, improvements in communication with caregivers, and online training courses to improve the attitude of health care providers and reduce stigma. Conclusion: Persons with disabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region still face health care barriers. To improve access to services, there is a need to improve health communication with and among them; train health care providers on inclusive care; provide financial, transportation and telehealth support; and formulate and implement inclusive evidencebased policies and programmes.