Action to ensure access to assistive technology in Georgia will transform lives, build inclusion and improve equity
Photo credit: © Dimitri Mikeladze
Giorgi Shekiladze, 32, from Georgia, is a war veteran who served in Iraq. He now works in the National Centre for Rehabilitation and Adaptation in Georgia, fabricating prosthetics and providing consultation and support to new patients.
“Having prosthetic legs has changed my life. Without them, I would not be able to work, meet up with my friends and enjoy my hobby of rifle shooting. I won a gold medal recently in a local shooting competition. Here at the rehabilitation centre, I really enjoy working with people and hope I am a good example to others,” says Giorgi.
Giorgi Shekiladze, is one of many people who have benefited from access to assistive technology in Georgia. Yet across the country, 45% of people in need of assistive technology are still unable to access it.
ATscale is now working in partnership with the Government of Georgia and the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EURO) to invest in assistive technology systems, and strengthen and shape markets for assistive technology products.
Meeting the challenge of increasing access to assistive technology
In recent years, the Government of Georgia has taken major steps to improve access to assistive products. In 2003, a national law on medical and social expertise was enacted, and in 2007, minimum standards were set for providing wheelchairs, prosthetics and orthotics, and hearing aids.
Rehabilitation and assistive technology are now included in the National Health Development Strategy, and the government has plans to develop a national action plan for assistive technology aimed at strengthening access to assistive products in primary health care settings.
Despite continuous government attention, the country faces several challenges in scaling up access to assistive technology and meeting the diverse needs of the population. Only 12 officially-registered providers of assistive technology operate in Georgia, and the range of products available are very limited, ranging from prosthetics, orthosis, wheelchairs, canes, hearing aids and smartphones. Most rehabilitation and assistive technology provision derives from the private sector, with a little from the not-for-profit sector. With 10 regions, and 69 municipalities in Georgia, regional inequities in access to assistive technology are also a major challenge, with many rural areas lacking the infrastructure to deliver assistive technology services.
ATscale support and investment
It is for these reasons that ATscale is supporting the Government of Georgia with investment over three years, 2023-2025, to enhance access to assistive technology and address regional disparities. Anticipating a promising transformation, this includes widening the range of assistive products available through primary health care services, and strengthening procurement and financing initiatives to reshape existing markets. By strategically supporting the government's efforts, this initiative has the potential to significantly enhance the availability and utilization of assistive technology, fostering greater inclusivity and equity across various regions of the country.
ATscale’s approach complements support from other donors that aims to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, increase access to vision, hearing, and cognition products through donations and partnerships and develop the capacity of the wider health and social care system for assistive technology.
Regional investment in assistive technology
A regional joint investment plan, supported by ATscale, covers Georgia, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan, and aims to strengthen delivery systems to rapidly increase access to assistive technology. The plan also aims to engage other donors, partners and stakeholders so that even more people will benefit from increased access to assistive technology. Family members' lives can also improve when their loved ones receive assistive technology, as they spend less time as carers, and have more time to work or socialize, for example. An anticipated 1.7 million additional people will therefore benefit from the increased availability of assistive technology over the next three years (2023-2025).
This comprehensive and integrated regional plan was developed in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EURO) along with key stakeholders in the countries, including governments across multiple sectors and organisations of persons living with disabilities. WHO/EURO has been selected as an implementation partner to provide coordination and technical support and scale up access to assistive technology. The plan aims to design, test and implement measures that shape the assistive technology market; increase coordination and promote synergies across assistive technology and rehabilitation services; strengthen the participation of assistive technology users; and foster intra- and inter-country learning on assistive technology and rehabilitation.
The eighth ATscale Board meeting took place in Georgia in June 2023.
The eighth ATscale Board meeting took place in Georgia in June 2023, hosted by WHO Regional Office for Europe in Georgia. Whilst in Georgia, WHO organized site visits so that board members could see how AT is integrated into healthcare in Georgia, such as the Ken Walker Clinic in Tbilisi, pictured here.