Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology observed the inaugural World Day for Assistive Technology (AT) on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

The day was marked to raise awareness on the importance the various devices and technologies such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, among others which improve the quality of life for persons living with disability.

During the cake-cutting ceremony, Ms. Martha Mmasi the Chief Physiotherapist at the Ministry of Health, noted that investing in assistive technology both has a transformative impact on people’s well-being and makes sound economic sense for governments because it is an enabler to all the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Chairman, Department of Rehabilitative Sciences Department and lead for the Person Centered Wheelchair Project at JKUAT, Dr. Mwangi Matheri, underscored the need for such initiatives noting that AT facilitates the inclusion of persons living with disability in the active daily life thus leading to independence an improved quality of life.

The event at JKUAT was marked in the backdrop of a week-long workshop that is developing a new curriculum for the Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics Science, which is expected to boost accessibility of Assistive Technology devices in the country.

The aim of the workshop sponsored by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) was to create a comprehensive curriculum that would not only address the technical aspects of prosthetics and orthotics manufacturing but also ensure that local healthcare providers are adequately trained to meet the needs of the Kenyan population.

The World AT Day celebration was graced by participants drawn from JKUAT College of Health Sciences led by the Principal, Dr. Reuben Thuo, African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), Motivation Charitable Trust, Circleg, Kenya Medical Training Centre (KMTC), Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), and beneficiaries of the Wheelchair Centre at JKUAT.