Experts Highlight That 18% of India’s Population Needs Assertive Care

At the 8th National Health Writers and Influencers Convention held at AIIMS, the expert session at ‘Growing Needs for Assertive Technologies,’ highlighted that India has a huge demand for assertive technologies to help 250 million people to cope with disabilities, ageing or chronic illnesses. The former director general of health services at the Union Health Ministry Dr R K Srivastava pointed out that 18 per cent of the Indian population requires assistive care solutions like spectacles, hearing aids, wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, etc.

The ICMR and other partners have identified some priority assertive technologies or ATs for the Indian population and are working on developing and delivering them soon. Dr Srivastava believes that these AT-based solutions will help improve the quality of life of the elderly, long-term hospital patients and people with congenital or acquired disabilities.

However, ICMR personnel believe that evidence-based research can help to bridge the gap between innovative products and end-users. So, collaborative efforts are encouraged between different stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness, affordability and accessibility of ATs.