The Health Ministry is moving ahead with plans for a prosthetics and assistive devices complex and a wider network of specialised rehabilitation centres for people with mobility disabilities, alongside a digital system to connect patient records across service providers.
Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar reviewed the next stages of the project at a meeting with senior health officials, including plans to establish rehabilitation centres in coordination with the Healthcare Authority, the ministry said in a statement.
Officials discussed findings from a pilot run of the proposed patient pathway for people with mobility disabilities, as well as mechanisms for providing wheelchairs to eligible patients and securing the funding needed for the programme.
The meeting also reviewed training for staff with experience in prosthetics and artificial limbs, with officials considering the formation of a committee to retain and make better use of specialised personnel.
The ministry is also developing its electronic system for registering disability cases and is considering a platform that would allow participating agencies to exchange secure patient data and files.
Abdel Ghaffar ordered officials to prepare a final implementation plan with a clear timetable and funding requirements for the next stages.
The proposed complex is intended to provide integrated prosthetic, assistive-device and rehabilitation services while improving coordination between the government bodies involved in supporting people with mobility disabilities.
