On May 23rd, during the Care & Rehabilitation Expo China 2023, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the China Assistive Devices Center for Persons with Disabilities jointly organized a meeting to coordinate the supply and demand of assistive devices. Dong Liquan, Deputy Director of the China Assistive Devices Center for Persons with Disabilities, Kylie Shae, Head of the Assistive Technology Team at the World Health Organization, and Dennis C. Søndergård, representative of UNICEF's supply department, participated in the meeting, with Dennis C. Søndergård joining through the internet.

Currently, over 2.5 billion people worldwide require one or more assistive devices. However, due to factors such as high prices, lack of financial support, shortage of service personnel, and insufficient public awareness, most individuals in need cannot obtain the necessary assistive devices. In resource-limited regions, the limited supply and procurement capacity of assistive devices often hinder the participation and integration of those in need into social life. In recent years, the World Health Organization and UNICEF have been committed to enhancing global access to assistive technology.

During the coordination meeting, representatives of UNICEF and the World Health Organization introduced their respective efforts in the field of assistive devices. They provided detailed explanations of the progress made in promoting the inclusion of assistive devices in UNICEF's procurement catalog, as well as the relevant bidding and procurement processes for upcoming bids related to visual and incontinence assistive devices. Both parties expressed that China possesses a wealth of high-quality, affordable assistive device resources, welcoming more Chinese enterprises to participate in global supply and offer a broader range of product choices for those in need. At the same time, they hoped that the China Assistive Devices Center for Persons with Disabilities would continue to play a pivotal role in bridging efforts, facilitating the involvement of various Chinese stakeholders in the global development of assistive devices.

Deputy Director Dong Liquan pointed out that the World Health Organization plays an irreplaceable role in promoting the global development of assistive technology, enabling more individuals in need to access high-quality, affordable assistive devices. In recent years, China's assistive device industry has continued to expand in scale, with an increasing variety of products, enhanced supply capabilities, and steadily improving service quality. As the national-level assistive device resource center in China, the China Assistive Devices Center for Persons with Disabilities has brought together forces from various domestic sectors, collaborating with the World Health Organization and UNICEF to tirelessly work towards the goal of enhancing global access to assistive technology.

During the interactive session at the meeting, numerous representatives from domestic enterprises engaged in detailed and in-depth discussions with representatives from the World Health Organization on topics such as the bidding process and product requirements.