Pragmatic Recommendations to Improve Access to Rehabilitation Robots, Assistive Technologies and Neurorehabilitation Services in Africa: Proceedings from ICORR-SASNET Ghana Neurorehabilitation workshop, 2024

Ebenezer Ad Adams^1,2*Robert Riener³Bouri Mohamed⁴Isabel Gunther⁵Matthew Olatokunbo OLAOGUN⁶Morenikeji Adeyoyin Komolafe⁷Chinonso Amanda Ad Adams⁸Albert Akpalu⁹Mary Wetani Agoriwo.¹⁰Leslie Wheatley Ajavon¹¹Kayode Ayodele¹²Ahmad Abefe Sanusi¹³Ahmed Omokayode Idowu¹⁴Adebimpe Ogunmodede¹⁴Benedict Quao¹⁵Khor Xiang Khor¹⁶Alex Kamadu¹⁷Carolyne , Sserunkuma Maholo,¹⁸Shani Halfon¹⁹Uchenna Chidi Eke¹⁴Ayenowowon Sunday Olaoluwa²⁰Emmanuel Aggrey Nelson²¹Mary Collier Barnes²²Patience Yeboah²³Prince A. Adomako Amoah²⁴Charles Kwesi Dakpoe²⁵Mayowa Ojo Owolabi²⁶Michelle J Johnson^27*

• ¹Stroke Association Supportnetwork-Ghana (SASNET-GHANA), Accra, Ghana
• ²African Stroke Organization (ASO), Ibadan, Nigeria
• ³SCI Center, University Hospital Balgrist/University of Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
• ⁴Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)/Rehabilitation and Assistive Robotics (REHAssist),, Lausanne, Switzerland
• ⁵ETH Zurich, Switzerland, Zurich, Switzerland
• ⁶Department of Physiotherapy, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
• ⁷Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
• ⁸Department of Physiotherapy, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria
• ⁹Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
• ¹⁰University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho Volta region, Ghana
• ¹¹International Rehabilitation Forum/37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana
• ¹²Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
• ¹³Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile – Ife, Osun State,, Nigeria
• ¹⁴Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile – Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
• ¹⁵Family Medicine and Global Health (Infectious Disease) Specialist PM, National Leprosy Elimination Program Ankaful Leprosy General Hospital, Accra, Ghana
• ¹⁶Techcare Innovation, Skudai Jahot, Malaysia
• ¹⁷International Society of Wheelchair Professionals, Cape Town, South Africa
• ¹⁸Department of Community and Disability Studies, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda
• ¹⁹Tikkun Olam Empowerment Network (TEN), Jerusalem, Israel
• ²⁰Department of Physiotherapy, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile – Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
• ²¹Tikkun Olam Empowerment Network (TEN)-Winneba Rehab Project, Winneba, Ghana
• ²²Select Physical Therapy, Colorado, United States
• ²³Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States
• ²⁴Public Health and Health Promotion Unit, Ministry of Health, Accra, Ghana
• ²⁵Stroke Association Support Network-Ghana (SASNET GHANA) Community Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Project, Accra, Ghana
• ²⁶Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, 200284, Ibadan, Nigeria/ Blossom Specialist Medical Center, Ibadan, Nigeria, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, and University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
• ²⁷Rehabilitation Robotics Lab (A GRASP Lab), University of Pennsylvania, USA, Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States

The 2024 ICORR-SASNET Ghana Neurorehabilitation Robotics workshop, convened on March 15-16, 2024, in Accra, Ghana, brought together 22 speakers and 27 attendees from 9 countries to address the pressing need for enhanced access to neurorehabilitation services and rehabilitation robotics in Africa. Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) face substantial challenges in providing adequate rehabilitation services. This exacerbates the burden of disability and impedes the recovery and quality of life of individuals with stroke and other neurological conditions. The workshop aimed to: (1) discuss current trends, challenges in neurorehabilitation services and rehabilitation robotics in Africa; (2) identify gaps in access to rehabilitation services and assistive technologies in LMICs; (3) develop strategies for improving access to these services; and (4) promote collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing among health professionals and stakeholders.A purposive sampling method was employed to recruit a diverse cohort of practicing health professionals, policy makers, and a stroke survivor/advocate. The workshop featured expert presentations and discussions centered on three key questions: (1) the current status of stroke rehabilitation in Africa and driving policies, (2) the role of assistive technology and rehabilitation devices in Africa, and (3) strategies for inclusive implementation culminated into 10 targeted recommendations for integrating rehabilitation robotics into conventional therapies. A roadmap was developed, featuring future initiatives, awareness campaigns, and technology transfer programs, with a planned second workshop in 2026, aiming to enhance access and promote sustainable solutions.