The World Health Organization (WHO) has published new guidance to help countries extend the lifespan of assistive technology while reducing waste, lowering costs, and improving access to essential mobility and self-care products. The report promotes sustainable repair, refurbishment, and recycling practices based on the WHO-GATE 5P framework and circular economy principles.
The guidance focuses on commonly used assistive products, including manual wheelchairs, walking aids, shower chairs, bath chairs, toilet chairs, and commodes. These devices play a vital role in supporting independence, mobility, and overall well-being, particularly for older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and individuals with disabilities.
WHO aims to help countries across the European Region improve the quality and availability of assistive products by extending their life cycle through safe repair and refurbishment practices. The recommendations also encourage reducing product waste, minimizing environmental impact, lowering procurement costs for health systems, and promoting equitable access to essential assistive devices.
The report explains the distinct roles of repair, refurbishment, and recycling within a circular economy approach. Repair restores faulty devices so they can continue to be used by the same individual, while refurbishment prepares used products for safe reuse by new users, increasing supply and reducing costs. Recycling focuses on recovering materials from products that have reached the end of their usable life, helping reduce landfill waste and conserve valuable resources.
WHO noted that countries do not need to implement all three approaches at once. Repair, refurbishment, and recycling can each be introduced independently, with every approach offering significant benefits for sustainability, healthcare affordability, and improved access to assistive technology.
The new guidance, supported by funding from ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, encourages governments to adopt more sustainable management of assistive products while ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable solutions for people who rely on them every day.
