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Sustainable and equitable provision of wheelchairs in low- and middle-income countries : an economic assessment of the models for wheelchair provision in Tajikistan

Ekman, Björn LU orcid ; Mishra, Satish ; Pupulin, Andrea ; Khasnabis, Chapal ; Allen, Michael and Huber, Manfred (2021) In Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology 16(8). p.865-870
Abstract

Introduction: Reaching universal coverage of assistive technologies remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Tajikistan has recently adopted several policies and national strategies to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities and improve the provision of assistive products. However, Tajikistan faces a number of challenges, including ensuring sustainable funding for the provision of wheelchairs in the medium and long term. Methods: This study presents the results of a recent analysis of the economic aspects of the provision of wheelchairs in Tajikistan to inform policy making in other low- and middle-income countries. The study draws on several sources of information, including local cost data, consultations... (More)

Introduction: Reaching universal coverage of assistive technologies remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Tajikistan has recently adopted several policies and national strategies to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities and improve the provision of assistive products. However, Tajikistan faces a number of challenges, including ensuring sustainable funding for the provision of wheelchairs in the medium and long term. Methods: This study presents the results of a recent analysis of the economic aspects of the provision of wheelchairs in Tajikistan to inform policy making in other low- and middle-income countries. The study draws on several sources of information, including local cost data, consultations with national and international experts and stakeholders, and reviews of the existing evidence. Results: Countries are advised to adopt an incremental approach to wheelchair provision. In the short term, countries may wish to import wheelchairs to move towards universal coverage. In the medium-to-long term, countries may wish to invest in national capacities for local production. Conclusion: Countries will need to continue implementing strategies to ensure universal access to wheelchairs without the risk of financial hardship for users, regardless of the approach to provision that has been chosen.Implication for Rehabilitation Reaching universal coverage of assistive technologies remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Countries are advised to adopt an incremental approach to wheelchair provision. The model of wheelchair importation may be a realistic model over the short- to medium-term for many LMICs countries to ensure effective and equitable provision of wheelchairs. In this article, we identify that sufficient funding needs to be allocated to the provision of wheelchairs regardless of the model of provision.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
financing, provision, Tajikistan, Wheelchair
in
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
volume
16
issue
8
pages
6 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85082698851
  • pmid:32228245
ISSN
1748-3107
DOI
10.1080/17483107.2020.1745909
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
2ad5c8c3-8dcb-4469-bd55-47e7f0791cfe
date added to LUP
2020-04-27 16:44:55
date last changed
2024-06-21 02:16:06
@article{2ad5c8c3-8dcb-4469-bd55-47e7f0791cfe,
  abstract     = {{<p>Introduction: Reaching universal coverage of assistive technologies remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Tajikistan has recently adopted several policies and national strategies to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities and improve the provision of assistive products. However, Tajikistan faces a number of challenges, including ensuring sustainable funding for the provision of wheelchairs in the medium and long term. Methods: This study presents the results of a recent analysis of the economic aspects of the provision of wheelchairs in Tajikistan to inform policy making in other low- and middle-income countries. The study draws on several sources of information, including local cost data, consultations with national and international experts and stakeholders, and reviews of the existing evidence. Results: Countries are advised to adopt an incremental approach to wheelchair provision. In the short term, countries may wish to import wheelchairs to move towards universal coverage. In the medium-to-long term, countries may wish to invest in national capacities for local production. Conclusion: Countries will need to continue implementing strategies to ensure universal access to wheelchairs without the risk of financial hardship for users, regardless of the approach to provision that has been chosen.Implication for Rehabilitation Reaching universal coverage of assistive technologies remains a challenge in many low- and middle-income countries. Countries are advised to adopt an incremental approach to wheelchair provision. The model of wheelchair importation may be a realistic model over the short- to medium-term for many LMICs countries to ensure effective and equitable provision of wheelchairs. In this article, we identify that sufficient funding needs to be allocated to the provision of wheelchairs regardless of the model of provision.</p>}},
  author       = {{Ekman, Björn and Mishra, Satish and Pupulin, Andrea and Khasnabis, Chapal and Allen, Michael and Huber, Manfred}},
  issn         = {{1748-3107}},
  keywords     = {{financing; provision; Tajikistan; Wheelchair}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{8}},
  pages        = {{865--870}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology}},
  title        = {{Sustainable and equitable provision of wheelchairs in low- and middle-income countries : an economic assessment of the models for wheelchair provision in Tajikistan}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2020.1745909}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/17483107.2020.1745909}},
  volume       = {{16}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}