In May, leaders in rehabilitation and assistive technology from across the Pacific gathered in person for the first time since 2019.
Years in the making
Five years ago, Motivation Australia facilitated the first Pacific Rehabilitation and Mobility Conference where attendees overwhelmingly supported the formation of a regional body to guide the rehabilitation and assistive technology sectors in common goals for the benefit of all nations. This regional body would later be called the Pacific Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (PRATA).
Participants of the Pacific Rehabilitation and Mobility Conference in Fiji, 2019.
Since then, many challenges prevented the momentum from building behind this international initiative. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic revolutionised online collaboration, that a steering committee was able to establish themselves remotely.
PRATA aims to strengthen regional collaboration, while respecting the diverse and unique contexts of each country. 12 members from seven Pacific Island Countries currently sit on the steering committee, representing:
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Vanuatu.
Building a future together
After joining with Motivation Australia, Interplast committed to supporting PRATA’s initiatives and partners.
In May 2024, Interplast partnered with The Pacific Community (SPC) to bring representatives from each of the seven countries together in-person for the first time. Together, they would discuss and plan for the future of PRATA.
Representatives spent two days finalising strategic plans, mapping workforces and sharing information about their services. Investment in the process and hope for future outcomes was high.
“We all have similar challenges, and we need a vehicle to drive us forward. That vehicle is PRATA,” said Almah Kuambu, of the National Orthotics and Prosthetics Service of Papua New Guinea and PRATA Co-Chair.
Almah leads the group through the newly-updated Strategic Plan.
On day three, we also welcomed representatives from 6 additional countries, as well as the Pacific Disability Forum and the World Health Organization. Their input broadened conversations and opened doors for potential involvement in future PRATA activities.
A highlight of the three days were the individual presentations from each country. Representatives shared the unique contexts in which they work, including mapping their own rehabilitation workforces, key challenges and successes within their services, and their plans for coming years.
Martha Schaumckel, a Prosthetist & Orthotist of Tonga, told us that the presentations helped her “understand each countries services and the challenges we all face. It motivates me to use my skills to help all Pacific Nations advocate for their services.”
Martha Schaumckel with Elsie Taloafiri of the Solomon Islands and Almah Kuambu.
Next steps for PRATA
PRATA has identified the strategic priorities of the next 5 years to include workforce development, advocacy, resources and standards. We soon hope to see PRATA functional and recognised both locally and internationally as a strong and unified voice for the rehabilitation and assistive technology sectors in the Pacific region.
Interplast will play a secretariat role for PRATA in the early stages, to support the association through the formal establishment process. We’ve also committed to supporting another in-person meeting in person in the 2025-26 financial year.
This workshop was a huge step in strengthening local leadership of rehabilitation and assistive technology provision in the Pacific, and Interplast look forward to supporting a future of respect for cultural diversity, equity, and collaboration.
Participants on the first day of the workshop.
Acknowledgements
Interplast’s support for PRATA is delivered in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and SPC.
Interplast also wishes to thank the national ministries and departments of health who supported their clinical leaders to attend this meeting, Pacific Disability Forum, the World Health Organization and our partners in the Pacific for their dedication and support of this workshop.
