WHO donates 24 wheelchairs to Ethiopian rehabilitation centre on World Polio Day
WHO Ethiopia handed over 24 wheelchairs to Menagesha Cheshire Rehabilitation Center to support persons with disabilities during World Polio Day 2026.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia delivered 24 wheelchairs to the Menagesha Cheshire Rehabilitation Center during the national World Polio Day commemoration on 24 October 2026. The donation included eight paediatric wheelchairs, eight Roughrider wheelchairs, and eight rough terrain wheelchairs, valued at USD 8,300 (ETB 1,356,080).
The handover event brought together government officials, development partners, rehabilitation specialists, polio survivors, and community representatives. It builds on WHO's ongoing support to strengthen rehabilitation services in Ethiopia through technical and financial assistance, including training on wheelchair assessment, fitting, prescription, and maintenance.
Menagesha Cheshire Rehabilitation Center has expanded its capacity to manufacture and customise four types of wheelchairs locally to meet individual users' needs. Dr Bejoy Nambiar, Health Policy and Systems Advisor for WHO Ethiopia, said the organisation is committed to ensuring people living with disabilities have access to quality rehabilitation and assistive technologies as part of efforts to end polio.
During the event, polio survivor Mrs Tigist Bezabih shared how vaccination and rehabilitation services, including wheelchair support, improved her mobility, independence, education, and confidence. WHO emphasised that assistive devices like wheelchairs promote inclusion, access to education and employment, and quality of life.
The World Polio Day 2026 theme was "One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio for Good". WHO pledged continued collaboration with Ethiopia's Ministry of Health, Cheshire Ethiopia, and partners to support immunisation and rehabilitation services for a healthier, more inclusive future.
Sources
Source: WHO Africa
