ISPO Organized the First International Prosthetics and Orthotics Day on 5th of November
The Orthotics and Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI) in association with the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) organized the first International Prosthetics and Orthotics Day (IPOD) on the 5th of November, 2022. Vispala Technologies co-sponsored this event along with National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Bon Hooghly, Kolkata. The idea behind this initiative was to highlight and raise the importance and impact for those needing prostheses and orthoses, and the need to provide further resources to ensure equitable and appropriate access to prosthetics and orthotics services.
There was a day-long program throughout at NILD campus. The 2022 International Prosthetics and Orthotics Day theme was “Enabling and Empowering“. The department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, NILD, and Prosthetics and Orthotics professionals and students took part in programs like Amputee Rally with Prostheses and motorized tricycles, posters, quizzes, and slogan competitions, and a debate on the given theme. There was a rally from NILD to Ananya, Bon Hooghly, and NILD campus, where around 60 amputees using Prosthetics participated along with 172 students, and 70 Prosthetics and Orthotics practitioners.
The rally was inaugurated by Dr. Abhishek Biswas, Ex-Director of NILD, Kolkata in the presence of Dr. P.K. Lenkha, H.O.D (Prosthetics and Orthotics Department), Dr. Aratatran Patra, Programme coordinator, and Dr. Pravin Kumar, Deputy Director, Administration. This was a unique rally that was held for the first time in Kolkata by limb amputees. In the inaugural address, Dr. Abhishek Biswas spoke about the importance of International Prosthetics and Orthotics Day. The NILD provides services to orthopedically handicapped people, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthotics, and prosthetic treatments. It also conducts and sponsors research in all aspects related to the rehabilitation of the orthopedically handicapped. The institute also provides services in the area of rehabilitation, restorative surgery, aids and appliances, and vocational training to persons with disabilities.
