Nepal recognizes wheelchair users and people with disability to become a certified wheelchair technicians.
A month-long hybrid training on “Wheelchair Service Provision, Repair and Maintenance” is successfully completed in Kathmandu, Nepal. Today, representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population (Nepal), GDI Hub, ISWP, Motivation India, Centre for Disabled Children Assistance (CDCA), Sundar Dhoka Sathi Sewa (SDSS) wrapped up the training program with a closing ceremony event. During the event, Dr Rabindra Baskota, Section Chief at the Leprosy Control and Disability Management Section of the Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) handed training certificates to the participants.
We were delighted to engage 16 participants from 8 community-based organisations across all 7 provinces of Nepal, coming together to strengthen knowledge and practice in appropriate wheelchair service provision. 12 of the 16 participants identified themselves as having a disability of whom 8 were wheelchair users and 2 were female.
During the first half of the month, participants were instructed on “WHO/ISWP Wheelchair Service Provision – Basic Level” course by the Motivation India trainers and our local team. During the second half, participants were engaged in hands on practical sessions on wheelchair repair and maintenance followed by exposure visits to repair centres in Kathmandu.
With over 80 million people worldwide requiring wheelchairs for mobility and function, many still lack access to suitable equipment and support. Only about 10-15% of the global AT demand have been met and many are still lacking access. Timely repairs could extend the lifespan of used AT devices and increase impact to those who use it. But, due to the lack of repair centres and certified technicians, there is no option for repairs. Our certified technicians will now go back to their provinces and set-up wheelchair repair hubs to train other users and repair wheelchairs. They will be supported with repair tools, locally sourced spare parts and further trainings to advance career as a wheelchair technician across Nepal.
