Relevance: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Key Phrases: UNICEF, Global Report on Assistive Technology, Universal Health Coverage, WHO, Sustainable Development Goals, social service initiatives.
Context:
- Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic in the last two and a half years, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) jointly launched the first Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) recently.
Key Highlights:
The GReAT report draws upon surveys conducted in 20 countries.
- The WHO-UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology (AT) 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.
- The report indicates that the proportion of the population currently using at least one assistive product ranges from less than 3 per cent to about 70 per cent.
- Those reporting that they use or need at least one assistive product range from about 10 per cent to nearly 70 per cent; the extent to which these needs are met varies from about 2 per cent to nearly 90 per cent.
- Universal assistive technology coverage implies that everyone, everywhere receives the AT that they need without financial or any other hardship.
- Different disabilities require different assistive technologies, and these are designed to help people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, seeing, hearing, learning, or walking.
- A billion people globally are currently estimated to be in need of assistive technology (AT); this is projected to double by 2050.
- The inclusion of assistive technology into health systems was essential for progress towards the targets in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) relating to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Do you know?
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into force in May 2008 to bring to centre stage disability as an intersection of health, human rights and development priority.
- Subsequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank jointly produced the World Report on Disability in 2011 to provide evidence for innovative policies and programmes.
- The Global Report on Assistive Technology presents evidence for the first time on the global need for and access to assistive products and provides a series of recommendations to expand availability and access, raise awareness of the need, and implement inclusion policies to improve the lives of millions of people.
The barriers to access and coverage, in the context of (Assistive Technology) AT:
- People:
- This is related to the age, gender, type of functional difficulty, location and socioeconomic status of those in need of AT.
- Products:
- The range, quality, affordability and supply of assistive products continue to pose considerable challenges.
- Quality and standard issues such as safety, performance and durability are key concerns.
- Repairing, refurbishing, and reusing assistive products can be faster and more cost-effective than purchasing new ones.
- Provision:
- The information and referral systems remain complex and services are not available across all geographies and populations.
- The range, quantity and quality of assistive products procured and provided, as well as the efficiency of delivered services, remain below par.
- Personnel:
- The workforce gaps are not just about numbers but also about adequate training and education too.
- Policy:
- A survey of more than 60 countries reported that they have at least one government ministry or authority responsible for access to AT.
- Almost 90 per cent of them have at least one piece of legislation on access to AT. Even then, the current levels of access imply a long road to universal AT access.
- Sub-standard Products:
- ATs handed out in camps or as a part of social service initiatives are a sporadic activity without the use of statistics as a basis for unmet needs.
- Products are often sub-standard and lead to poorer health outcomes.
- Affordability :
- Affordability is a major barrier to access, the report notes. Around two thirds of people with assistive products reported out-of-pocket payments for them.
Various Indian Government’s schemes
- Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase / Fitting of Aids and
Appliances (ADIP) Scheme
- The main objective of the Scheme is to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.
- Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
- To encourage voluntary action for ensuring effective implementation of the People with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities and Protection of Rights) Act of 1995.
- GST concession to PWDs
- The Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has allowed a concessional rate Goods and Services Tax of 18% and no cess on motor vehicles for the use of persons with orthopedic physical disability.
- Unique Disability ID
- Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities” project is an initiative of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India.
- It aims at building a holistic end-to-end integrated system for Issuance of Universal ID & Disability Certificates for Persons with Disabilities with their identification and disability details.
Recommendations of GReAT report:
It will
- 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.
Conclusion:
- The health system’s responsibility in providing equitable access to ATs, just as for essential medicines and vaccines, is increasingly being recognised and country-level plans are being drawn up with an aim to fund and provide ATs.
- Until AT solutions are integrated with the existing primary healthcare packages the current top-down approach is of limited benefit.
- The positive impact of assistive products goes beyond improving the health, well-being, participation and inclusion of individual users – families and societies also benefit.
Source: Indian Express
Mains Question:
Q. Briefly discuss the WHO report on assistive technology for disabled. What are its recommendations(250 words).
