Project equips clinics with devices

Health Watch

PEOPLE in the National Capital District (NCD) can access assistive devices at clinics near them – thanks to the World Health Organisation (WHO) coronavirus (Covid-19) assistive technology response project.
WHO acting country representative Anna Maalsen said it was a WHO-supported pilot project which PNG, Iraq and India were involved in. “It’s about bringing assistive product or technology (walking aid, reading glasses, mobility aids) closer to communities where people can access them where they need them,” she said.
“This is part of the universal health coverage agenda by 2030 to ensure that people get access to the essential services that they need, when they need and where they need them.”
The project was triggered by the Covid-19.
“As we saw around the world, people, particularly with disabilities, had less access to the services they need due to restrictions put
in place by governments, travel restrictions, mobility restrictions and services closing down,” Maalsen said.
“The project involves training staff (on) how to do the assessments and screenings for assistive products in the clinics and then prescribe those aids for those people to take home with them.
“It’s a really exciting project, something that we hope to scale up across the country. It’s very much in line with the next national health plan which is bringing access to this kind of rehabilitation and assistive technology services in the community.
“It’s really important that it is happening at the primary care level – that’s as close to the community as we get.”