16 countries agree to establish framework

Plan to provide assistive technology in war torn areas

ISLAMABAD: In a World Health Organisation meeting on Improving Access to Assistive Technology, experts from various Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries came together and agreed to draft their individual policies and framework for the provision of technology to not only the needy but also the aging and ailing population to facilitate them in their day to day lives.

Pakistan hosted the first three-day Eastern Mediterranean Regional Consultative Meeting that successfully concluded with the drafting of the regional framework. It was a high level meeting which was attended by 16 EMR countries of the region, representatives of UN agencies and participants from the private sector.

The countries will  draft frameworks to develop trained human resources for the provision of assistive devices and technologies that include wheelchairs, prostheses, hearings aids, visual aids, as well as specialised computer software and hardware that increase mobility, hearing, vision, or communication capacities.

Currently, it is estimated that in low-income and middle-income countries, only five percent to 15 percent of people who require assistive devices and technologies have access to them.

The draft was reviewed, analysed and updated after a series of deliberations and meetings.

Various experts introduced different models of the regional framework.

Based on the discussion and participants’ inputs it was decided that the current draft will be updated and shared with the participants’ countries for their final input and approvals.

Considering the ongoing conflicts of the region and its consequences, dedicated group work was carried out to include assistive technology as part of the emergency response.

Ministry of National Health Services, regulations and services DG Health Dr Assad Hafeez chaired the concluding session. The Government of Pakistan committed to the issue of the assistive technology therefore it has become the first country in the region to host such a meeting.

He ensured the unflinching commitment of the government in furthering the agenda of improving access to assistive technology.

WHO Head Pakistan Dr Assai Arkandani, appreciated the contribution made by the participants. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2018.