Ntando Mahlangu RSA, Regas Woods USA, Richard Whitehead GBR and Leon Schäfer GER (left to right) compete in Heat 2 of the Men’s 100m at the Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday 14th September 2016.
GENEVA, Switzerland, 30 August 2024 /African Media Agency (AMA)/- During the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are joining forces to highlight the transformative impact that assistive technologies can have in sport. The “Equipped for Equity” campaign highlights the crucial role of assistive technologies for Paralympic athletes to promote concerted global action to improve access to these essential health products.
Throughout the Games, WHO and the IPC will use the Paralympic platform to share messages and information on the importance of assistive technology, how athletes use it, and why universal access is essential. Examples of assistive technology used by Paralympians include athletics blades, wheelchairs, and archery releases.
The Equipped for Equity campaign will also feature personal stories of athletes who use assistive technologies in sport and in daily life, and highlight national successes in improving access to these essential health products.
“The Paralympic Games show us the possibilities and the important role that assistive technologies play for these extraordinary athletes,” said Dr.r Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “But around the world, many people still lack access to critical assistive technologies, due to their high cost and low availability. We call on governments, donors and civil society to prioritize these neglected but essential products by integrating them into primary care programmes, with the goal of achieving universal health coverage.”
“The Paralympic Games are one of the only global events that puts people with disabilities front and centre, and showcases how assistive technologies can help athletes compete at the highest level. These technologies are enabling them to redefine what is possible in sport and inspire millions around the world,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons.
“As we prepare to celebrate incredible sporting achievements, it is essential to remember that access to assistive technology remains a major concern. We must advocate for more affordable and accessible solutions globally, ensuring that everyone, no matter where they live, has the opportunity to live fulfilling lives and contribute to society.
WHO estimates that access to assistive technologies remains severely limited in many parts of the world, with more than 2.5 billion people requiring these technologies worldwide. For example, only 5–35% of the 80 million people who need a wheelchair have one available, depending on where they live, and only 10% of the global demand for hearing aids is currently met. Without access to assistive technologies, people with disabilities are denied the right to participate in all aspects of life and are also at greater risk of exclusion, isolation and poverty.
The Equipped for Equity campaign will provide examples such as Zimbabwe’s recent tax exemption for assistive technology and the pre-Paralympic tax reductions on assistive technology for sport in France and Japan. Highlighting these initiatives, the campaign calls on countries to implement similar initiatives and integrate assistive technology into primary health care and universal health coverage.
Measures to make assistive technologies more accessible and affordable are essential not only to enable individuals to reach their full potential, but also to boost broader societal and economic development. Expanding access to quality-assured, safe and affordable assistive technologies reduces health care and social protection costs, such as recurring hospital admissions, and fosters a more productive workforce, which indirectly boosts economic growth.
WHO is also supporting the IPC and the French Government to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all athletes and spectators at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Public health advice, developed jointly with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, has been provided to support travellers attending the Games.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for the World Health Organization.
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-08-30 09:02:13
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