Pakistan to get China’s help in assistive technology for disabled people

Pakistan and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on improving access to assistive technology for disabled people. According to the memorandum, China will help Pakistan to build advance assistive technology in the country.

Ministry of National Health Services and Chinese Disabled People’s Federation finalized the agreement which would not only benefit the disabled people from both the country, but also the people from countries that come under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Last year Pakistan tabled the resolution improving access to assistive technology for the disabled in World Health Assembly (WHA). The resolution was co-sponsored by 35 countries such as China, Germany, the US, and others, WHA made it mandatory for all 194 countries to carry out implementation on the resolution within four years period.

Assistive technology includes those devices that are designed to assist a person to perform a particular task. Disabled people mostly depend on such assistive devices to perform daily activities like a normal person.

China decided to come up and play its role, as it has the largest number of disabled people (86 million) along with the most influential Chinese Disabled People’s Federation (CDPF) and the largest assistive technology industry.

The MoU was signed during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China, the ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza signed the memorandum.

Dr. Zafar Mirza said this initiative would enhance existing bilateral relations, friendship, and cooperation between the two countries especially in the field of Public Health and Medical Research to promote health services for the welfare of the people of Pakistan.

He said, “Pakistan had championed the cause of assistive technology globally and continues to successfully lead efforts to advocate for access of those in need to assistive technology, across the world.” He said, “Pakistani disabled persons would benefit from this agreement with high chances of emerging of this industry in the country through industrial cooperation.”