2.6 Recommendations to address demand challenges for assistive products
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Enhance transparency in supply chains: Improving visibility into procurement processes and supply chain logistics can streamline costs, reduce inefficiencies and
promote accountability. Transparent systems enable stakeholders to optimize resources and ensure products reach underserved
populations in LMICs.
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Strengthen government policies and support: Governments should develop and implement comprehensive policies for AT, including setting quality standards, streamlining
procurement, national AT needs collection and allocating dedicated budgets. Policies should also support inclusion of AT in
national insurance schemes and prioritize assistive technology in health and social welfare programmes. Governments should
also consider policies to reduce costs such as removing duties for assistive products and provide incentives for local production
and assembly, where feasible.
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Address funding fragmentation: Consolidating funding sources and encouraging multi-stakeholder partnerships to pool resources can streamline funding for
AT. Donor-supported initiatives should align with national strategies to ensure sustainable financing, reducing reliance on
ad-hoc NGO efforts.
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Leverage innovation to bridge demand-supply gaps: Investing in innovative solutions can make assistive products more available and/or more affordable. Examples include regionally
manufactured wheelchairs, or ready2clip spectacles.
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Promote market efficiency: Supportive government policies and enhanced transparency can reduce inefficiencies and attract private sector engagement.
Encouraging collaboration between governments, NGOs and social enterprises is essential to scale assistive technology markets
effectively.
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Provide training: Training should be provided across the whole health system to increase awareness about existing and emerging low-cost and
appropriate assistive technology solutions. This training should cover the identification of assistive technology needs, required
specifications, available cost-effective appropriate product selection, proper prescription, fitting, user training, maintenance
and follow-up services.
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Invest in national awareness and outreach campaigns: Improving understanding of assistive technology among the public, caregivers and frontline workers can be achieved through
awareness and outreach campaigns. These campaigns should be integrated into primary healthcare systems, schools and community-based
services. Emphasis should be placed on the benefits of early identification and use of assistive products.
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