Devices that Aid People Operating in Each Day Life Are Costly in Africa: Below’s Why

Certain goods and tools that can support individuals in daily life should be accessible to everyone. The World Health Organization (WHO), which has released a list of the most crucial of these devices, takes this position. It includes equipment like wheelchairs, braille displays, and walking assistance.

However, many regions of Africa find it challenging to access assistive technologies. Given that there are an estimated 15.6% of people with disabilities on the continent, this is a serious issue. More than 200 million individuals in Africa, which has a population of more than one billion, require at least one adaptive product, and by 2050, that number is expected to treble.

According to the WHO, just 15% to 25% of Africans who require assistive technology items presently have accessibility to them.

We conducted research to determine the causes of this issue and to propose solutions.

Human rights

Devices that are adaptable, rehabilitative, and functional are known as assistive technologies. The United Nations likewise sees them as a fundamental human right, and the WHO supports an international dedication to making them more accessible. This is so that certain people can utilize their constitutional rights.

Without access to the necessary assistive technology, people run the risk of being excluded and being hungry. They could also be seen as a strain on society and their families. The benefits of assistive technology go far more than only enhancing users’ health and well-being. Lowering direct healthcare expenses and having a more productive workforce have socioeconomic benefits as well, indirectly promoting economic growth.

Quick negotiations and strong backing from member states resulted in the 2006 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its optional protocol. Additionally, it was the first human rights agreement that allowed organizations dedicated to territorial integration to sign. But there have been problems with its execution, especially in Africa.

We think the concept of economic and political institutional voids best explains this. In essence, they are weaknesses in the trade laws, markets, and political and economic institutions. Higher transaction expenses for conducting business or even accessing markets are brought on by a lack of specialized intermediaries, regulations, and contract enforcement procedures.

This perspective on the issue makes it easier to illustrate how to resolve it and ensure equitable accessibility to assistive technologies.

Institutional voids

First, because the parts are typically expensive to produce, there isn’t much production of assistive technologies in Africa. Many local manufacturers use cheap, non-standard materials.

Second, the cost of importing assistive technology that are not made locally is high. Within the continent, there are no standardized tariff regimes for them. This translates into significant price differences between nations. Assistive technologies frequently need to be modified for the local environment when they are imported, regardless of high tariffs. The costs are further increased as a result.

Third, most health finance and insurance programs on the continent do not cover assistive technologies. They are not frequently found in catalogs for central medical stores.

Fourth, the health system as a whole lacks the personnel with the necessary training and expertise to deliver assistive technology services and goods.

The fifth and most significant issue is that the continent lacks a uniform governance framework for assistive technologies. Additionally, there is a general lack of understanding as to why they are necessary and how they might enhance the lives of those in need.

The majority of African nations lack national policies or programs pertaining to assistive technology. As a consequence, many people are left behind, and getting assistive products is challenging.

Solutions

In order to create and carry out policies that enhance access to assistive technologies, African governments must take the lead and offer resources, collaboration, and leadership.

The WHO African regional framework should be implemented first. The framework’s goals are modest. For instance, it mandates that by 2024, 40% of African member states will have evaluated their use of assistive technology and created a national access strategy. This will make it easier for the 40% of Africans who require assistive items to obtain them without experiencing hardship.

The European Union has much to teach the African Union. An extensive study on assistive devices has been commissioned by the European Parliamentary Research Service and made public. The paper attempts to put into practice the claims that assistive technologies are a fundamental human right by addressing economic, political, and socio-ethical viewpoints. Africa lacks such a focused and exhaustive study.

The African Union should create a market strategy to foster technological production on the continent. The companies in today’s market are left to fend for themselves, which results in high operational costs. In the end, these expenses make assistive technologies pricey.

The practice of lowering the complexity and cost of a product and its production, typically by eliminating unnecessary features, should be embraced by producers.

The solution also includes qualified staff.

Finally, and perhaps most crucially, there is a demand for a structured investigation to identify the knowledge gaps in economic, political, scientific, and clinical areas for the creation and implementation of assistive technology in Africa, as well as a coordinated strategy to address the issues.

Millions of Africans would benefit from this by being able to exercise their fundamental rights, including the freedom to receive education, to live as they choose, and to work.

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