GENEVA, Switzerland: Pakistan’s First Lady Mrs Samina Alvi, who was invited by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the chief guest of international consultation on Global Report on Effective Access to Assistive Technologies, has expressed the hope that the ongoing efforts of WHO would certainly achieve improvement in research, production and use of the assistive technology.
Which, she said, will help in bringing greater independence and comfort in the lives of people with special needs as well as aging population.
Mrs Samina Alvi was speaking at the concluding session of consultation at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva.
“Assistive technology has become priority at the global agenda in recent years, and has benefited the people living with disabilities, non-communicable diseases as well as the ageing population,” Mrs Alvi said.
Mrs Alvi further added that health and social care facilities have come a long way to use the assistive technology to improve people’s functioning which further helps with their mainstreaming.
Mrs Samina Alvi appreciated Director General WHO as well as WHO regional office and country office in Pakistan for the close cooperation and efforts to move forward this noble cause.
Mrs Alvi further said that Pakistan would continue its full support for the access of assistive technologies to everyone in need. She referred to the health and social security policies of the present government particularly Ehsas programme. She emphasized the role of media and communications in enhancing awareness among the people for taking benefit from available assistive technologies.
Pakistan has contributed immensely in this regard through the ground breaking work and pushing the issue on WHO agenda in 2015.
During her visit to Geneva, the first lady also visited offices of the United Nations and International Committee of Red Cross.
