The WHO estimates that over one billion people need one or more assistive products and this number is expected to rise beyond 2 billion by 2050. Today, only 1 in 10 persons globally have access to assistive products. This results in missed opportunities for younger people to access education and work, and for older individuals to continue to live healthy, independent lives.

'Launching the Priority Assistive Products List (APL) is the first step of an initiative from WHO toward improving global access to these products for everyone, everywhere. It also has important implications for people who are in need of these products. It facilitates the dialogues with policy makers and providers in health and social care for making these products better available', says Mylene Cabarbaye, VP Marketing TENA for MEIA countries, Middle East, India and Africa.

Paving the way for the improved access

Mylene Cababaye points out that the inclusion of absorbent incontinence products on the APL is precedence setting. She hopes that being on the WHO-list may pave the way for these very needed products.

'For Europe where health and social care budgets are under pressure due to an ageing population, being on the list has significant importance in getting the right financial support for people in need of incontinence products. It alsoproves the value incontinence products bring to people in order for them to live active and independent lives, as well as to society as a whole.', says Eszter Kacskovics, Public Affairs Director Incontinence Care Europe.

Facts
 WHO and the Priority Assistive Products List (APL)

To improve access to high quality, affordable assistive products in all countries, WHO introduced the Priority Assistive Products List(APL). The list is the first stage by WHO of implementing a global commitment to improve access to assistive products - the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE). The APL includes 50 priority assistive products, selected on the basis of widespread need and impact on a person's life. The list was launched at the end of May, during the 69th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

Priority assistive products are those products that arehighly needed, an absolute necessity to maintain or improve an individual's functioning, and which need to be available at a price the community/state can afford.

(Source: www.who.int)

SCA - Svenska Cellulosa AB published this content on 15 June 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
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