The Indian government is providing free artificial limbs to physically challenged Bangladeshi in the course of a medical camp in Dhaka marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Indian High Commission started 'Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitness Camp' on September 28 with the National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) and the Bangladesh Orthopedic Society (BOS).
The camp, which is known as Pangu Hospital, will proceed until November 4.
The Indian High Commission said, the medical camp is being set up under the India's 'India for Humanity' initiative on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. About 500 people from different regions of Bangladesh will be benefitted from this gesture.
Health Secretary Asadul Islam and Indian High Commissioner Riva Ganguly Das officially inaugurated the medical camp on Thursday.
India's Jaipur-based Bhagwan Mahabir Disability Assistance Association (BMVSS) has created an affordable 'Jaipur Foot' to give new life to people who have been stricken with movement and suffering from polio, accidents and other diseases.
They provide free artificial limbs, calipers and other services to the poor and disabled. The philanthropic work of this organization has benefited over 18 million people in India and around the world.
A team of eight Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS experts) is operating the 42-day camp in Dhaka. It is the fourth artificial limb amputation camp operated by BMVSS in Bangladesh.
Earlier in 2015, 2016 and 2017, more than 2,029 people have been benefited from three camps at BMVSS in cooperation with the Moin Foundation.
The Indian High Commission jointly with the Bangladesh Orthopaedic Society is providing over 1,250 prosthetic legs to those in need in Bangladesh on the occasion of Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
The prosthetic legs are being provided free of cost, according to the inauguration programme arranged at National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation.
"I hope the artificial legs will bring changes to all beneficiaries," said Riva Ganguly, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, adding that it priorities Bangladesh most among all its neighbours.
The Indian High Commissioner made the comments while inaugurating an artificial foot fitting camp at Nitor. Saying that most of the people have suffered immense damage to their legs in road mishaps, she underscored the need for taking initiatives to reduce accidents in future.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque was supposed to be present as chief guest but was absent due to a leg injury, said ministry officials at the programme.
