GENEVA, AUG 22 (DNA) – “Pakistan has been a strong advocate at both regional and global levels for access to assistive technology.

It was result of our consistent efforts that for the first time in 2015 Assistive Technology made it to the agenda of the WHO Executive Board” this was stated by the first lady of Pakistan Mrs. Samina Alvi, in her key note address as the chief guest of the WHO Consultative Conference on the Global Report on Effective Access to Assistive Technology (GReAT), being held in Geneva.

Reckoning Pakistan’s lead role in accessibility to assistive technologies the First Lady said that Pakistan’s efforts were crowned with success in October 2016 when on the request of Pakistan, the Eastern Mediterranean Region became the first WHO Region to adopt a regional resolution on the subject and develop a strategic framework to improve access to Assistive Technology.

First Lady reiterated the dedication and strong political will and resolve in Pakistan in reaching out to those in need of assistive technology. She also shared the national initiative under the social protection program that has been launched for provision of free of cost assistive products to all those who need them across the country.

Mrs. Samina Alvi appreciated the efforts of WHO and all the stakeholders in developing the Global Report on effective access to assistive technology, and urged the Member States to redouble their efforts in developing policies, forging partnerships, acquiring robust data, encouraging innovation and research in the area of assistive technology.

She further emphasized that it was incumbent upon all to make every effort to extend benefits of the modern-day technology to support persons with disabilities and those affected by the rising incidence of Non-Communicable diseases and aging population.

Mrs. Alvi urged the Member States of WHO to resolve to work in unison to achieve the goal enshrined in WHO’s Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology initiative and assured Pakistan’s advocacy and technical support in the implementation of such initiatives.=DNA

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