May 16, 2022
A report released today by the World Health Organization and UNICEF shows that more than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or applications that support communication and cognition. But nearly 1 billion people are unable to access it, especially in low-income and middle-income countries, where availability can only meet 3% of demand.
Assistant Technology
Assistive technology is a general term for auxiliary products and related systems and services. Auxiliary products can improve performance in all key functional areas, such as action, listening, self-care, vision, cognition, and communication. They may be physical products such as wheelchairs, prostheses, or glasses, or digital software and applications. They can also be devices that adapt to physical environments, such as portable ramps or handrails.
Those who need Assistive technology include the disabled, the elderly, people suffering from infectious and non-infectious diseases, people with mental health problems, people whose functions are gradually declining or losing their internal abilities, and many people affected by humanitarian crises.
Continuously increasing demand!
The Global Assistive Technology Report provides evidence on global demand for auxiliary products and access for the first time and puts forward a series of recommendations to expand availability and access, raise awareness of demand, and implement inclusive policies to improve the lives of millions of people.
The report points out that due to population aging and the growth of non-communicable diseases worldwide, the number of people in need of one or more auxiliary products may increase to 3.5 billion by 2050. The report also highlights the significant gap in access between low-income and high-income countries. An analysis of 35 countries shows that Access Gap ranges from 3% in poor countries to 90% in rich countries.
Related to human rights
The report points out that affordability is the main obstacle to access the Assistant Technology. About two-thirds of those who use assistive products report that they need to pay out-of-pocket expenses, while others report that they need to rely on family and friends for financial support.
The survey of 70 countries in the report found that there was a huge gap in the provision of services and trained Assistive technology personnel, especially in the fields of cognition, communication, and self-care.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO, said: "Assistive technology can change life. It opens the door for the education of disabled children, employment and social interaction of disabled adults, and the dignified independent life of the elderly. To deny people access to these life-changing tools is not only a violation of human rights but also economic myopia."
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, said: "Nearly 240 million children have disabilities. Denying children the right to access the products they need to thrive not only hurts children but also deprives families and communities of all contributions they can make when their needs are met."
Shenzhen Zuowei Technology Co., Ltd focuses on intelligent nursing and rehabilitation products to meet the six daily activities of the Elderly, Such as a smart incontinence nursing robot for solving toileting issues, a portable bed shower for the bedridden, and an intelligent walking device for mobility-impaired individuals, etc.
Shenzhen Zuowei Technology Co., Ltd.
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Post time: Jul-08-2023
