Global Report on Assistive Technology

In News 

• Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF published a Global Report on Assistive Technology . 

About Global Report on Assistive Technology

• It was developed in response to the World Health Assembly resolution (WHA71.8) on improving access to assistive technology adopted in May 2018.
• It presents a comprehensive dataset and analysis of current assistive technology access, drawing the attention of governments and civil society to the need for, and benefit of, assistive technology, including its return on investment. 
•  It is primarily directed at policy-makers, providers of assistive technology, donors and funding agencies, and industry leaders. 
• It is expected to play an instrumental role in setting the global roadmap for improving access to assistive technology for everyone, everywhere. 

Major Findings 

• It reveals that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps that support communication and cognition. 
  • Yet nearly one billion of them are denied access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access can be as low as 3% of the need for these life-changing products.

• The report notes that the number of people in need of one or more assistive products is likely to rise to 3.5 billion by 2050, due to populations ageing and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases rising across the world.
• The report also highlights the vast gap in access between low- and high-income countries.
  • An analysis of 35 countries reveals that access varies from 3% in poorer nations to 90% in wealthy countries.
• A survey of 70 countries featured in the report found large gaps in service provision and trained workforce for assistive technology, especially in the domains of cognition, communication and self-care. 
  • Denying people access to these life-changing tools is not only an infringement of human rights, but it is also economically shortsighted.
• Affordability is a major barrier to access and around two thirds of people with assistive products reported out-of-pocket payments for them. 

Recommendations

•  The report makes recommendations for concrete action to improve access, including:
  • Improve access within education, health and social care systems
  • Ensure availability, safety, effectiveness and affordability of assistive products
  • Enlarge, diversify and improve workforce capacity
  • Actively involve users of assistive technology and their families
  • Increase public awareness and combat stigma
  • Invest in data and evidence-based policy
  • Invest in research, innovation, and an enabling ecosystem
  • Develop and invest in enabling environments
  • Include assistive technology in humanitarian responses
  • Provide technical and economic assistance through international cooperation to support national efforts.

Source:TH