Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
World Health Organization, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2021 Nov;16(8):865-870. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1745909. Epub 2020 Mar 31.
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.
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.
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.
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 RehabilitationReaching 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.
在许多低收入和中等收入国家，实现辅助技术的全民覆盖仍然是一个挑战。塔吉克斯坦最近通过了几项政策和国家战略，以加强残疾人的权利并改善辅助产品的供应。然而，塔吉克斯坦面临着许多挑战，包括确保中长期提供轮椅的可持续资金。
本研究介绍了最近对塔吉克斯坦提供轮椅的经济方面进行分析的结果，旨在为其他低收入和中等收入国家的政策制定提供信息。该研究借鉴了多个信息来源，包括当地成本数据、与国家和国际专家和利益相关者的磋商，以及对现有证据的审查。
建议各国采取渐进式方法提供轮椅。在短期内，各国可能希望进口轮椅以实现全民覆盖。在中长期内，各国可能希望投资于本国的轮椅生产能力。
无论选择哪种提供方式，各国都需要继续实施确保全民获得轮椅的战略，以避免使用者面临经济困难的风险。
在许多低收入和中等收入国家，实现辅助技术的全民覆盖仍然是一个挑战。
建议各国采取渐进式方法提供轮椅。
对于许多中低收入国家来说，轮椅进口模式可能是短期到中期内确保有效和公平提供轮椅的现实模式。
在本文中，我们确定无论提供模式如何，都需要为轮椅提供足够的资金。
