Scheme launched for rehabilitation of disabled earthquake victims
A group of expatriate Pakistanis, comprising professionals settled in the UK in coordination with their Pakistani counterparts, have embarked upon an ambitious scheme for rehabilitation of disabled earthquake victims that shook the country in October last.
Zafar Khan of Limbless Association - UK addressing a press conference here on Monday, said like minded professionals from both
“We have already established three centers at
Khan said he also had a meeting with Prime Minister soon after the disaster following which Artificial Modular Limbs gradually started reaching the effected areas and people are being implanted the same.
A fresh consignment of these limbs, comprising 200 sets of upper limbs and lower limbs along with wheel chairs have arrived at Karachi via sea route and are being transported to Mansehra and Muzzafarabad in next few days, he said.
Zafar Khan representing Limbless Association - UK mentioned that the efforts are being materialized with the close support of UK government and DFID will be providing funds to further streamline the process.
Pakistan based Limbloss Foundation is also actively involved in the program, he said mentioning that 500 more artificial limbs and necessary accessories are also to soon reach Karachi.
He said there is also a second phase of the project based on Technology Transfer. this he maintained was extremely essential to make the modular artificial limbs comprising in pieces form reassembled in according to actual size and need of the people in want of these implants.
“Since our requirements are different from those in UK as local s often need to sit on floor (performing prayers, having meals or even chatting) and also the land in the our part of the world is un-even, we have to make necessary modification,” Khan elaborated.
To meet these needs and to turn Pakistan self reliant, Limbless Association - U.K and Limbloss Foundation - Pakistan is focussing on Technology Transfer and for which locals would be trained during next two years period.
Khan said the project itself will be spread over five years during which besides establishing Artificial Modular Limbs Workshops at Muzzafarabad, Mansehra and Islamabad a Center of Excellence will also be set-up with major focus on Research and Development.
We need to make our project sustainable which must be able to meet its recurring expenditure, Zafar Khan said.
To a query, he said professionals would be accessible, near to areas of residence, to the patients implanted with artificial limbs and provide them immediate assistance in case of any difficulty in handling these.
To another question, he said after once the needs of earth quake victims are met the facility will be available to victims turned impaired following trauma or vehicular accidents.
Source: Relief Web
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March 22nd, 2006 at 2:24 pm
Hi authorities. mr zafar khan is doing well to save the victimised people after earthquake in pakistan.We from the core of the heart we appriciate their efforts.may God bless him. aftab raza khan