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Blessing has cleft lip and palate. She is smiling.

Healthcare

More than a billion people worldwide have a disability, and a staggering 80% live in low-and middle-income countries.

We work in some of the world’s poorest places to prevent and treat conditions that lead to disability, and enable people with disabilities to access the medical care that they need.

Why are people with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries less likely to be able to access healthcare?

  • There is a shortage of healthcare provision in low- and middle-income countries, especially in rural areas where the poorest people tend to live. Healthcare systems in these settings often lack resources, equipment and trained staff.
  • The cost of healthcare is often prohibitive, especially to those caught in the cycle of poverty and disability. This means that people often live with preventable or treatable conditions, which worsen and spread through families and communities.
  • Poor accessibility in healthcare settings, for example a lack of ramps or handrails, can make it very difficult for people with disabilities to get into clinics and hospitals. There are often very limited transport options, especially in rural areas, making it difficult to get there in the first place.
  • People with disabilities often experience stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings, which can make them less likely to access it.

With your support, we are working to create a better world for people with and at risk of disabilities, their families and communities in some of the world’s poorest places.

A lady wearing a black shirt sits down and looks into the camera. In the background are beds and nets.

“I heard about the fistula programme, I came, and I was treated. My life has changed. I can move and do things independently. I am very happy. I am overjoyed. I can now be around people. I can now move around freely.”

Chizoram received fistula surgery at a CBM-supported hospital in Nigeria.

Our Work

We work to make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities around the world. From providing essential healthcare services and training doctors – we are creating lasting change.

  • We treat diseases, conditions, or injuries such as fistula, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), clubfoot, deafness and hearing loss which could lead to disability and we improve access to mental health services and support. By breaking down barriers to care, offering support, and raising awareness, we ensure those living with mental health conditions receive the help they need.
  • We train specialist doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, enhancing the care available in these communities.
  • We provide rehabilitation and physiotherapy services to those who need it.
  • We help equip hospitals and improve healthcare systems in marginalised areas so they can deliver care to those who need it.
  • We provide essential assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, and glasses to restore independence.
  • We work to make health facilities and systems more accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.

Our impact

With your support, we’re transforming lives and building brighter futures.

A boy wearing a black t shirt and blue shorts smiles into the camera. He stands next to a hospital bed with his leg in a cast.
157,000
people received medical and rehabilitative services.
A woman wearing yellow and black stands in front of piles of wood.

Donate now

Together, we can make a life-changing difference to people with disabilities living in some of the world’s poorest places.