Unlocking Sustainable and Resilient Assistive Technology Innovation and Delivery Ecosystems: Personalised Co- creation of Locally Produced Prosthetics
Type
Research Group
Ben M. Oldfrey, Ram C. Thapa, Ashish Thapa, Bikash Paudel, Amit Bajracharya, Ganga Gurung, Rosemary Gowran, Pratisthit Lal Shrestha, Tigmanshu Bhatnagar, Mark Miodownik, Catherine Holloway
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that access to assistive products like prosthetics, wheelchairs, and hearing aids varies significantly by income level. In high-income countries, 64% of people needing these products have access, while only 33% in medium-income countries and 11% in low-income countries do.
Assistive technology (AT) encompasses assistive products (APs) and services necessary for effective use. Globalisation has facilitated the mass production of assistive products but often leads to monopolies that create barriers to local innovation and repair strategies, especially in low-income countries. The AT2030 Programme, led by the Global Disability Innovation Hub in Nepal, aims to enhance localised innovation within the global assistive product system.
In Nepal, official estimates suggest that only 2.2% of the population has a disability, but this figure is likely underestimated. Various organisations are working to provide AT and rehabilitation services, addressing local needs, such as difficult terrain and logistics.
This paper reflects on our journey within the AT2030 project, highlighting the development of a global-local community, interdisciplinary innovation teams in Kathmandu, and preliminary results from two bespoke product development cases, emphasising collaboration between global and local expertise for effective AT solutions.
