Assistive technology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: report of a rapid assessment

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العُنْف والإصابات والإعاقة

العُنْف والإصابات والإعاقة

Assistive technology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: report of a rapid assessment

Assistive technology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region; results of a rapid assessment7 May 2020 – “Assistive technology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: results of a rapid assessment”, presents the results of an assessment of the provision of assistive products carried out in countries of WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region, looking at 5 key areas:

policy and financing
information and research
products
personnel
service provision.

The report also suggests recommendations to help countries improve access to assistive products by those who need them.

This report is part of the WHO efforts to operationalize the provisions of resolution EM/RC63/R.3 on “Improving access to assistive technology”, which was endorsed by Member States during the Sixty-third session of the Regional Committee in 2016. Assistive technology plays an important role in maintaining and improving people’s functioning and well-being, enabling people to lead healthy, productive, independent and dignified lives, participating in education, the labour market and social life. It is needed by a wide range of people worldwide, including people with chronic health conditions, people with disabilities and older people, as well as those who may experience temporary or life-long impairment or functional decline across the life course.

The increasing need for assistive technology and rehabilitation services is driven by the rise in noncommunicable diseases, injuries and ageing populations. Given the growing demand, assistive technology services need to be available within health care services. While nearly 100 million people in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region are in need of one or more assistive products, only 1 in every 10 of them have access to the products they need. This huge gap in access is observed across the countries of the Region, despite their diversity in terms of income level and development.

Long-standing emergencies and conflict in some countries of the Region have also resulted in injuries and disability on a large scale, with mounting unmet needs for assistive technology. It is hoped that this regional report will contribute to informing efforts at all levels to close this gap drawing on a people-centred approach, to improve coverage and access to assistive technology with the ultimate aim of inclusive universal health – leaving no one behind.