Even as there are an estimated 250 million Indians in need of Assistive Technology/Assistive Products (ATs/APs) to address disabilities, aging, or chronic illnesses, just a few are able to avail these vital resources due to barriers such as affordability and accessibility, lamented experts here at an event held to deliberate on ways how to bridge the gap.
Dr. R K Srivastava, former Chairman of the Medical Council of India and ex-Director General of Health Service, emphasised the increasing demand for assistive care solutions, highlighting the significance of these solutions for the elderly, long-term hospital patients, and individuals with congenital or acquired disabilities.
This demographic comprises 18% of India's population, indicating a substantial requirement for assistive care products ranging from spectacles to wheelchairs. Dr. Ashoo Grover, Deputy Director General of the ICMR, echoed similar sentiment, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to bridge the gap between innovative AT products and end-users. “There is a need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the availability of customized AT solutions to meet diverse needs,” he said at the 8th National Health Writers and Influencers Convention (NHWIC-2024) at AIIMS Delhi here.
Dr. Chandrakant S Pandav, a Padma Shri Awardee and global public health expert known as the ‘Iodine Man of India’, and a prominent advocate for people with disabilities, shared his personal experiences using a wheelchair and emphasized the lack of societal acceptance and infrastructure faced by the disabled community in India. He called for a change in societal attitudes towards individuals who rely on ATs, urging people to view them as valued members of society.
Last year, the ICMR had compiled the National List of Essential Assistive Products (NLEAP) of 380 APs for people with functional impairments.
The growing attention towards APs reflects the increasing prevalence of functional impairments among populations worldwide.
As societies age, the demand for APs rises, driven by age-related functional restrictions, limitations, or impairments. Moreover, factors such as injuries, mental illnesses, learning disorders, and chronic diseases contribute to the heightened need for APs.