Capacity Building for Sustainable Appropriate Wheelchair Service in Kenya

Implementing Partner: Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK)

Funding Period: April 2009 - March 2012

Amount: $600,000

Purpose: Develop appropriate wheelchair services in compliance with the WHO guideline, to meet the needs of wheelchair users in Kenya and facilitate appropriate service delivery in East Africa

Project Components

• Ensure that wheelchair users, government officials, health professionals, donors, and citizens are aware of WHO wheelchair guidelines and understand the importance of appropriate local wheelchair service delivery
• Work to reduce the importation of inappropriate wheelchairs through donors and to encourage the rejection of dangerously unsuitable ones by verification agencies
• Increase the availability of tested appropriate wheelchairs of improved quality with ISO certification. Make appropriate wheelchairs available countrywide through a network of branches, government hospitals, and outreach clinics
• Make available a wide range of high-quality locally produced mobility aids that are aesthetically attractive and meet user’s needs and expectations. Ensure that those receiving mobility aids will be trained on their proper use, maintenance, and repairs
• Ensure that persons in need of a wheelchair will have access to comprehensive quality wheelchair services, which includes prescription, production, and fitting by qualified professionals. Establish follow up and feedback system to monitor and evaluate those services
• Ensure that products are available at a globally competitive price and are accessible to all users through a service network in government hospitals in Kenya. And, ensure that poor and economically disadvantaged clients receive quality products either funded by donors or by government
• Ensure that the production facility is modern and efficient—through sound business principles—with well-trained and motivated staff and documented processes, which will ensure a consistently high standard of quality and cost-effective production applying sound business principles.
• Reach approximately 360 individuals through training, conferences, public awareness activities, and new jobs. Additionally, approximately 4,200 clients will receive wheelchairs and tricycles per year.

The project develops appropriate wheelchair services in compliance with the WHO guideline. Project staff use a human-rights-based approach to meet the needs of wheelchair users in the most economical and sustainable way in Kenya, and facilitate appropriate service delivery in East Africa.