Speaking on Wednesday in a video message posted on Twitter, Guterres said the pandemic is revealing the extent to which people are marginalised and is intensifying the inequalities that people with disabilities already face, such as poverty and higher rates of violence, neglect and abuse.

"Even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities are less likely to access education, healthcare and income opportunities or participate in the community. The pandemic is intensifying these inequalities and producing new threats," he said.

His video message was released alongside a UN report that said people with disabilities are estimated to be 15% of the world’s population and 46% of the world’s people who are older than 60. 

He noted that Covid-19 is often more severe in people with existing health problems, increasing their likelihood of dying.  And the disabled and elderly who live in care homes and institutions are particularly vulnerable since they may face barriers to health care, good hygiene and physical distancing. 

In some countries, Guterres said, decisions on rationing health care are based on discriminatory criteria such as age or assumptions about quality or value of life, based on disability.

“We cannot let this continue, we must guarantee the equal rights of people with disabilities to access health care and lifesaving procedures during the pandemic. 

"If they contract the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, many are more likely to develop severe health conditions, which may result in death.

"We must guarantee the equal rights of people with disabilities to access healthcare and lifesaving procedures during the pandemic. I urge governments to place people with disabilities at the centre of Covid-19 response and recovery efforts and to consult and engage them," he said.

African News Agency