Globally, it is estimated that 2.5 billion people need access to one or more assistive products or devices, and this number is likely to rise to above 3.4 billion by 2050. In May 2022, the WHO and UNICEF jointly launched a landmark Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT), which provides a clear roadmap with recommendations that, when implemented, can address global challenges in terms of access to assistive products and making universal health coverage inclusive for all people, including delivering on our obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with a Disability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The focus of this presentation will address the conditions required to create a much-needed step-change in our approach to assistive technology and how Ireland can shift to being a global leader in the field, including through its current collaboration with the World Health Organization.

About the Speaker:

Dr Cathal Morgan works for the WHO Regional Office for Europe, leading the workforce optimisation agenda within the Health Workforce and Service Delivery team. Before his current WHO role, Dr Morgan provided policy and technical advisory support to Governments in scaling access to rehabilitation, digital and assistive technologies with a key technical role in advising on disability-inclusive health policies. He has held several senior leadership positions within Ireland's public service, including as Head of Disability Operations in the Health Service Executive, and has worked with international organisations such as the International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL) and EU EQUAL Initiative. Cathal is a trained clinical psychotherapist with a master's degree in clinical psychotherapy, a PhD in clinical research relating to suicidology, and a post-graduate diploma in executive leadership coaching.