GENEVA (DNA) -Pakistan’s First Lady Mrs Samina Alvi who was invited by the World Health Organization as the chief guest of international consultation on Global Report on Effective Access to Assistive Technologies, has expressed the hope that the ongoing efforts of WHO, would certainly achieve improvment in research, production and use of the assistive technology. Which she said will help in bringing   greater independence and comfort in the lives of people with special needs as well as aging population .  She was speaking at the concluding session of consultation at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva.

Mrs Alvi said that “Assistive technology has become priority at the global agenda in recent years, and has benefited the people living with disabilities, non communicable diseases as well as the ageing population” . She further added that health and social care facilities have come a long way to use the assistive technology to improve people’s functioning which further helps with their mainstreaming.

She appreciated Director General WHO as well as WHO regional office and country office in Pakistan for the close cooperation and efforts to move forward this noble cause.
Mrs Alvi further said that Pakistan would continue its full support for the access of assistive technologies to every one in need. She referred to the health and social security policies of the present government particularly Ehsas programme. She emphsized the role of media and communications in enhancing awareness among the people for taking benefit from available assistive technologies.
Pakistan has contributed immensly in this regard through the ground breaking work and pushing the issue on WHO agenda in 2015 .

During her visit to Geneva the first lady also visited offices of the United Nations and International Committe of Red Cross