Fourteenth Session of the Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Held

The session considered an initiative to improve the existing regulatory framework governing the right to medical rehabilitation and spa treatment, with particular attention to the needs of persons with disabilities, as well as an initiative by Council member Milijana Ćirković concerning the application of Article 61 of the Law on Unified Disability Assessment and the possible consequences of its implementation for the exercise of the rights of persons with disabilities. Council member Nataša Anastasov highlighted the need to review the current criteria for access to medical rehabilitation and spa treatment, taking into account the needs of persons with severe physical disabilities, persons with plegic syndromes and limb paresis, as well as children and young people with developmental disabilities. Particular attention was paid to ensuring equal opportunities in exercising the right to health care, improving procedures within the health-care system, and ensuring access to services that contribute to preserving the physical and mental health of persons with disabilities. In this context, the Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recommended that the Ministry of Health consider ways to improve the existing regulatory framework governing access to medical rehabilitation and spa treatment, with particular attention to the needs of persons with disabilities, the availability and continuity of rehabilitation services, and ensuring equal opportunities to exercise the right to health care. Council member Irena Rakočević noted that the adoption of the Law was preceded by a public consultation during which the interested public had the opportunity to present opinions, comments and suggestions, and that five representatives of representative organizations of persons with disabilities participated in its drafting, thereby ensuring their direct involvement in preparing the legislative solutions. After considering the initiative, the Council agreed to organize a separate thematic session on the initiative of some non-governmental organizations concerning Article 61 of the Law on Unified Disability Assessment, which will be attended by representatives of the relevant sectors and the initiative’s proponents.