CNAO’s Advocacy for its 2024-2026 Operational Action Plan

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Extract from the article: As part of the festivities marking its 50th anniversary, the National Orthopedic Fitting Center (CNAO) observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on November 13, 2024, though it is officially celebrated on December 3 worldwide...

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As part of the festivities marking its 50th anniversary, the National Orthopedic Fitting Center (CNAO) observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on November 13, 2024, though it is officially celebrated on December 3 worldwide. This observance took the form of a round table discussion under the theme: “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Powering an Accessible and Equitable World.” Director Tokpessa Lakna took this opportunity to advocate for the implementation of the CNAO's 2024-2026 Operational Action Plan. Dr. Kokou Wotobe, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, was also present at the event.

The round table featured two panels focused on innovations for people with disabilities. The first panel was titled “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Powering an Accessible and Equitable World.” The second panel focused on “Promoting International Cooperation for Technological Innovation and Technology Transfer for an Inclusive Future.”

The panelists addressed obstacles and flexible practices that demonstrate effective international cooperation in technology transfer aimed at empowering persons with disabilities. Discussions included best practices, experiences in promoting multi-stakeholder cooperation on AI-related ethics, international strategies to ensure access to technology for persons with disabilities, and considerations of sustainability and adaptability. They also highlighted the new accessible and inclusive digital standards from UNDP, digital and AI advancements for an accessible and equitable world, and accessibility measures to create a more inclusive environment.

For Didier N’kekpo, Program Director at the Togolese Federation of Disabled Persons’ Associations (FETAPH), “these discussions are important for our community. They allowed us to reflect on three levels: the current context of access to rehabilitation at national and international levels, the ongoing debates surrounding inclusion issues, and, finally, recommendations for a more equitable future.”

Advocacy for the CNAO’s 2024-2026 Operational Action Plan

CNAO Director Innocent Lakna presented an advocacy for the 2024-2026 Operational Action Plan, aimed at strengthening the center’s effectiveness. “The CNAO’s 2024-2026 operational action plan continues improvements made in previous plans, focusing on governance, accessibility, and quality of rehabilitation care. With a budget of 411,669,250 CFA, this new plan takes a multidisciplinary approach to promote health and well-being, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Its success will rely on collaboration between staff, partners, and organizations of persons with disabilities,” he emphasized.

The 2024-2026 strategic plan focuses on improving the institutional framework, enhancing the quality of services, developing rehabilitation research, and promoting cooperation and monitoring and evaluation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This celebration underscored the importance of uniting efforts to create a future where inclusion and innovation come together for a more equitable society for all.

Raymond DZAKPATA