Prof. Dr. Vladimir Trajkovski

Assistive devices/technologies: what WHO is doing

In many low-income and middle-income countries, only 5%-15% of people who require assistive devices and technologies have access to them. Production is low and often of limited quality. There is a scarcity of personnel trained to manage the provision of such devices and technologies, especially at provincial and district levels. In many settings where access might be possible, costs are prohibitive.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Articles 20 and 26), the World Health Assembly resolution WHA58.23 and the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities all highlight the importance of assistive devices. States are requested to promote access to assistive devices and technologies at an affordable cost and facilitate training for people with disabilities and professionals and staff working in habilitation and rehabilitation services.

WHO, in partnership with collaborating centres and partners, is assisting these efforts by:

Developing normative guidelines
Organizing regional and country workshops, meetings and seminars to promote and facilitate access to assistive devices
Providing assistance for the development of national policies and programmes on assistive devices and technologies with a focus on human resource development
Creating a database on availability of appropriate assistive devices and technologies

Our partners and collaborating centres

International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), Copenhagen, Denmark
Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology, Vällingby, Sweden
Tanzania Training Centre for Orthopaedic Technologists (TATCOT), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, University Don Bosco, Venecia, Soyapango, El Salvador
National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Nontharuri, Thailand

Related documents

World Health Assembly Resolution WHA58.23
WHO Disability and Rehabilitation Plan of Action (2006-2011)
The relationship between prosthetics and orthotics services and community-based rehabilitation: A joint ISPO/WHO statement
pdf, 286kb
Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings