REHABILITATION must be recognised not only as a healthcare necessity but as a fundamental human right, according to global experts speaking at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025.
The session, held on the forum’s third day in Kuala Lumpur, brought together international thought leaders to discuss advancing recovery and reintegration into the workforce.
Dr Susanne Weinbrenner, Chief Medical Officer at Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund in Germany, said that rehabilitation should be understood through a holistic lens that includes mental health and social reintegration.
“ISSA guidelines emphasise that rehabilitation must aim to enhance functional capacity through a biopsychosocial approach, rather than simply relieving symptoms,” she said.
“Rehabilitation is essential throughout a person’s lifetime – not just upon entering employment – as it supports core human functions, enabling individuals to remain active and independent.”
The hour-long panel, moderated by Datuk Dr Hafez Hussain, Executive Director of the PERKESO Rehabilitation Centre, featured speakers from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan Indonesia (Woro Ariyandini), Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service (Hyungkyu Jo), and the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board of Zambia (Patrick Siampwili).
Dr Weinbrenner noted that rehabilitation is gaining global recognition for its ability to reduce national burdens and improve productivity.
Hafez echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of incorporating lessons from international models to develop a more comprehensive rehabilitation framework.
“This is an opportunity for Malaysia to further enhance social security rehabilitation services,” he said.
“Beyond the physical aspects of worker recovery, we are increasingly addressing complex mental health issues and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in rehabilitation solutions.”
WSSF 2025 is organised by the International Social Security Association (ISSA), in collaboration with Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF), with support from the Retirement Fund (KWAP) and the Prime Minister’s Department’s Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU JPM). - October 3, 2025
