Islamabad : Disability is a human right and development issue. Persons with disability face participation limitations while engaging in various social roles. WHO is striving hard to ensure that disability inclusion is consistently and systematically integrated into political, cultural, economic and social arenas of life. WHO is working with the Government of Pakistan to advocate change and public awareness regarding disability and to formulate strategies which promote access to healthcare services, rehabilitation and support for disabled persons.

WHO Country Representative in Pakistan, Dr Palitha Mahipala met Honourable Minister for Social Welfare Department Balochistan, Mr Assad Ullah Baloch and handed over assistive devices. Assistive Technology is the combination of assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for disabled persons to ensure their equal participation, enhance their functioning and independence in a social milieu.

WHO through its ‘Protection Rights of Older People with Disabilities’ (PROD) project extends support for improved access to high-quality assistive technology to support mobility of older people and persons with physical disabilities. Dr Mahipala extolled the efforts of Balochistan Department of Social Welfare towards a disability-inclusive society. Mr Assad Ullah Baloch expressed his gratitude for the incessant support of WHO towards the sustainable empowerment and inclusion of people with disabilities in the social spectrum.