Global Research on Developmental Disabilities Collaborators
"Upholding the rights of people with disabilities is a moral imperative. But it is not an act of charity. It is a recognition of rights and a practical necessity, if we are to build healthy, sustainable societies to the benefit of everyone – those with disabilities, and those without."
-- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres 
Bolajoko O. Olusanya
Coordinator |
Welcome Message
On the behalf of our outstanding and dedicated collaborators, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this website. We present an overview of a unique South-North partnership in Global Health designed specifically to advance the interests of children with developmental disabilities from birth to age five years and their families guided by the best available evidence. In global health, mortality and disability are the most prominent and complementary population health metrics. The health and well-being of children under 5 years in particular, is recognised globally as a measure of a nation's development. The best available epidemiological data suggest that globally a newborn is ten times more likely to have a lifelong disability than dying before the fifth birthday, a period that is most crucial for optimal human brain development. At least one in every 12 children under-5 years has developmental disability and more than 53 million have developmental disabilities, 95% of whom reside in low- and middle-income countries. Our vision for children under 5 years with disabilities is inspired by the United Nations' SDG 4.2.1. as well as the yawning gap in global investments and service delivery for child disability compared to child survival since 1990. We embrace the principles of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in all our engagements to address the grave health inequalities among children under 5 years in line with the exisiting global pledges and commitments. We shall also strive to promote the best possible practices for addressing the needs of these children in readiness for inclusive education. We welcome and look forward to working with other interested stakeholders to better serve all children under 5 years with lifelong disabilities who are the most vulnerable and marginalised population particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These children must no longer be left behind. Coordinator |
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