ISLAMABAD: The three-day regional meeting on improving access to assistive technology will begin today (Tuesday), with national and international experts in attendance.

The meeting is being hosted by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS). It will be attended by representatives from ministries of health and social welfare from the WHO’s Easter Mediterranean Region as well as international partners.

It is estimated that 15pc of the world’s population – 1 billion people – live with some form of disability. In the eastern Mediterranean region, which comprises 21 countries including Pakistan, approximately 3.2pc of the population reportedly live with disabilities.

However, the WHO has said this figure is likely underestimated. The prevalence of disability is also growing, due to aging, an increase in non-communicable diseases, road traffic injuries and mental health problems.

Assistive devices and technologies are products with a primary purpose to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence, to facilitate participation and enhance overall wellbeing. They can also help prevent impairments and secondary health conditions.

Examples of assistive devices and technologies include wheelchairs, prostheses, hearings aids, visual aids, and 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 5 to 15pc of people who require assistive devices and technologies have access to them.

“Pakistan has dedicated major efforts to improve people’s access to assistive technology at both global and national level. Pakistan led the preparation of a draft resolution on improving access to assistive technology which was adopted by the WHO Executive Board in January 2018 and will become a global resolution during the upcoming 71st World Health Assembly,” said Dr Mohammad Assai, the head of the WHO country office in Pakistan.

At the national level, Pakistan has taken the initiative of undertaking federal and provincial consultations to develop a framework for improving access to assistive technology in the country. Pakistan is also in the process of undertaking assistive technology needs assessment, based on four pillars of the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (Gate) initiative, including service policy, service delivery and training.

The objective of the meeting taking place in Islamabad from May 8 to 10 is to develop a regional framework on improving access to assistive technology in the region.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2018