Manual Wheelchairs - World Health Organization

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Box 1.2. Wheelchair provision and government ministries IntroductIon I 31 Which ministry is typically responsible for wheelchair provision? Wheelchair provision impacts on a number of government ministries and authorities. Ministries of health are generally responsible for health care and rehabilitation services, and therefore have a primary responsibility for wheelchair provision. In some countries, however, other ministries take a leading role. In India, wheelchair services are provided by the Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment and in ghana by the Ministry of labour and Social Welfare. In Kenya, a consortium of the Ministry of <strong>Health</strong>, social welfare services and nongovernmental organizations facilitates wheelchair service delivery within the country. Other ministries can also play a role, as the needs of users include economic and social issues that may be addressed by the ministry of social welfare or similar. Ministries responsible for employment and education have a role in ensuring the rights of wheelchair users. Thus, unless the responsible ministries or authorities ensure that wheelchair users have access to buildings and public transport, they will not be able to participate in educational, economic and social activities. 1.9.2 Manufacturers and suppliers An organization may be involved in one or more of the areas of manufacturing and supplying wheelchairs. Supplying means delivering wheelchairs to service providers, either through sale or donation. The role of manufacturers and suppliers of wheelchairs is to develop, produce or supply wheelchairs that meet the needs of users in different contexts. This includes: • manufacturing or supplying products that are appropriate for the use to which they will be put; • ensuring their products meet or exceed relevant wheelchair standards; • providing wheelchairs through wheelchair services that offer, as a minimum, assessment, fitting, user training and follow-up; and • ensuring that wheelchairs can be repaired locally. Irrespective of the service model used to provide wheelchairs, it is recommended that suppliers exercise their responsibility by ensuring that: • the service provider has the capacity to provide the supplied wheelchairs in a reasonable and responsible manner; and • the supply is based on an assessment of the situation in the country or region and considers the impact on local manufacturers and service providers. 1.9.3 Wheelchair services Wheelchair services provide the essential link between the users and the manufacturers and suppliers of wheelchairs. Service providers include: • government wheelchair services • nongovernmental organizations that provide such services • the private sector • hospitals and public health centres. 1
32 I guIdelInes on the provIsIon of manual wheelchaIrs In less resourced settIngs The main role of a wheelchair service is to assist users to choose the most appropriate wheelchair, to ensure that it is adjusted or modified to suit their individual needs, to train users, and to provide follow-up and maintenance services. Service providers also play a role in: • giving feedback to manufacturers and suppliers about wheelchair design; • developing referral networks; and • developing and finding sustainable funding sources for wheelchairs and services. 1.9.4 Professional groups Rehabilitation is a question of teamwork. Professionals such as therapists, health/nursing personnel, orthotists/prosthetists, physiatrists and others can play a major role in providing quality services, training personnel as well as users, enhancing the quality of life of the users, and sharing and documenting best practices. A team comprising all groups of rehabilitation personnel can ultimately benefit the user and has in particular proven useful in the development of the new profession or discipline of wheelchair provision. More professional groups need to be involved in wheelchair provision in less-resourced settings. A good example of such involvement is the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), which has supported the development of structured professional training for wheelchair technologists. The role of professional groups includes: • guiding and supporting the activities of those responsible for wheelchair services; • advancing the practice and standards of wheelchair service delivery; • facilitating the placement and secondment of wheelchair professionals; • facilitating the exchange of information; and • promoting the education and training of wheelchair professionals. Box 1.3. Wheelchair industry association in Africa In Africa, the Pan Africa Wheelchair Builders Association represents those involved in wheelchair design, production, funding and distribution. The Association was formed following a meeting of African wheelchair producers in Zambia in 2003 and is now established in Moshi, United republic of Tanzania. One of its main activities is networking among wheelchair builders to support each other and to share resources. 1.9.5 International nongovernmental organizations International nongovernmental organizations are often involved in facilitating wheelchair provision where there is little or no national service delivery. The policies and practices of these organizations should promote coordinated wheelchair provision that is equally accessible to all. The role of international nongovernmental organizations in wheelchair provision includes: • meeting the immediate needs of users where local wheelchair provision is lacking; • supporting the state to fulfil its obligations concerning wheelchair provision; • assisting the national authorities to develop a proper wheelchair service delivery system within the country;
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Other resources Cooper RA. Wheelcha
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Manual Wheelchairs - World Health Organization

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