Berhanu S1, Packirisamy V1, Barth C2
1International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Physical Rehabilitation Program, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Physical Rehabilitation Program, Geneva, Switzerland
Background: IIn Ethiopia approximately17.6% (about 15 million people) live with disabilities (World Disability Report, 2011). Studies show that 10% of them are in need wheelchairs. That means in Ethiopia approximately 1.5 million people with disabilities (PWDs) are in need of wheelchairs.
Wheelchair service (WS) is an essential part of physical rehabilitation services (PRS), especially in contexts where surgical options are not available to maximize ambulation and with the presence of wheelchairs and clear WSP protocol to follow (WHO), it needs proper management and clear lines of responsibility at PRC level.
Purpose: All 7 ICRC supported physical rehabilitation centers (PRCs), incorporated WS into their physical rehabilitation program but cover the needs for only 840 wheelchair users (WU) per year. This means it will take 1786 years to serve all potential wheelchairs users with the current capacity. While providing services, prioritization is necessary due to the limited wheelchair resources versus the high demand in Country.
The purpose of this study is to show the need for prioritization of WU and give a set of priority criteria to put in place.
Methods: The assessment was conducted in four ICRC supported PRCs in Ethiopia in 2016. The methods of data collection were twofold:
1. A paper-based survey was conducted on the professionals involved in WS mainly on:
Results:
Conclusion(s): The study concludes that there is a need of priority criteria of potential users for WS to give access to the most deserved beneficiaries in less resourced areas and suggest the following priority criteria's.
Implications: To incorporate the prioritization criteria in national WS policy and guidelines.
Keywords: Priority, Physical Rehabilitation Center, Wheelchair
Funding acknowledgements: I would like to thank ICRC for funding the study and PRP colleagues and PRCs for supporting the study
Wheelchair service (WS) is an essential part of physical rehabilitation services (PRS), especially in contexts where surgical options are not available to maximize ambulation and with the presence of wheelchairs and clear WSP protocol to follow (WHO), it needs proper management and clear lines of responsibility at PRC level.
Purpose: All 7 ICRC supported physical rehabilitation centers (PRCs), incorporated WS into their physical rehabilitation program but cover the needs for only 840 wheelchair users (WU) per year. This means it will take 1786 years to serve all potential wheelchairs users with the current capacity. While providing services, prioritization is necessary due to the limited wheelchair resources versus the high demand in Country.
The purpose of this study is to show the need for prioritization of WU and give a set of priority criteria to put in place.
Methods: The assessment was conducted in four ICRC supported PRCs in Ethiopia in 2016. The methods of data collection were twofold:
1. A paper-based survey was conducted on the professionals involved in WS mainly on:
- number and qualification of professionals trained in WS provision and dedicated personnel in WSP,
- capacity, and infrastructure, analysis of waiting list, priority criteria presence, WS guideline
- decision making for providing wheelchair
Results:
- One PRC has officially assigned a person in charge of WSP. One PRC, TC is responsible and two PRCs have no one in charge.
- All PRCs have professionals (physiotherapists, Prosthetists & Orthotist/ orthopedic technicians and Bench workers) trained in WHO basic and intermediate levels.
- In one PRC, clinicians have the right to decide to provide wheelchairs however in three PRCs decisions are made by PRC managers
- Three PRCs have waiting lists however the information in the waiting is not complete and does not include the necessary basic details of users. One PRC has no organized waiting list.
- Three PRCs prioritize users according to their social participation and integration. One PRC provides on first comes first serve basis.
- No PRC have a dedicated wheelchair assessment room and three PRCs does wheelchair measurement inside gait training area in which privacy was not respected.
- Three PRCs provide skill training to WU and caregivers however not complete and one PRC does not provide at all.
- None of the PRCs have their own WS protocol however the PTS and TCs said they follow WHO guideline.
Conclusion(s): The study concludes that there is a need of priority criteria of potential users for WS to give access to the most deserved beneficiaries in less resourced areas and suggest the following priority criteria's.
- Life-saving
- Health issues
- Vulnerable groups
- Active participants in socioeconomic activities.
Implications: To incorporate the prioritization criteria in national WS policy and guidelines.
Keywords: Priority, Physical Rehabilitation Center, Wheelchair
Funding acknowledgements: I would like to thank ICRC for funding the study and PRP colleagues and PRCs for supporting the study
Topic: Disability & rehabilitation; Disability & rehabilitation; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: International committee of the Red Cross and PRCs
Ethics committee: no
Reason not required: Study do not harm any individual or institution
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
