Assistive Technology Investment Case in Bangladesh

Our team supports the World Health Organization and ATScale in developing an assistive technology (AT) investment case in Bangladesh. This initiative aims to address the growing need for inclusive health and social services in the country, particularly for individuals with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and the aging population.

The Importance of AT Investment in Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces a significant unmet need for assistive technologies, which limits opportunities for individuals to participate fully in the society, puts financial burden on households, and hinders workforce productivity. These challenges highlight the necessity of a country-specific AT investment case to demonstrate the economic, health, and social benefits of expanding access to assistive products and services.

Methodological Approach

The AT investment case for Bangladesh will allow to to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) of scaling up AT services, including quantification of the long-term benefits of AT access, such as improved health outcomes, reduced caregiver burdens, and increased productivity.

Institutional Context Analysis (ICA) component of the case will help to assess the readiness and capacity of Bangladesh’s institutional and policy landscape to implement new AT services.

Overall, the expected outcome will provide a compelling evidence base for policymakers to prioritize AT access in national health and development agendas, strategies for scaling up AT services in a cost-effective manner, aligned with Bangladesh’s broader health and social policies and data to support advocacy efforts.

Capacity Building and Advocacy

The initiative also focuses on building capacity among local health economists and policymakers by offering training on the methodologies and tools used in the investment case development. This ensures a sustainable and evidence-driven approach to addressing the AT needs in Bangladesh.