By IANS
Jaipur : A Jaipur based artificial limb centre, famous for its lightweight prosthesis, is all set to open its centre in Pakistan.
Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), an NGO that makes the famous Jaipur Foot – artificial legs functionally close to the human limb, will soon start a shared enterprise in Pakistan.
“We would soon have two artificial limb centres in Karachi and Islamabad,” D.R. Mehta, founder and chief patron of BMVSS, told reporters here Wednesday.
Giving details of the joint venture, Mehta said that the Rotary Club of Karachi and Haswa Trust would be their partners in the Pakistani port city, and in the Pakistani capital National Rural Support Programme of Islamabad and Naya Qadam Trust would join hands with the BMVSS.
A delegation from Pakistan had recently visited the Jaipur centre and another is coming later this month.
“We have assured them the transfer of technology. We would also train their staff and it would be the people to people cooperation without involving governments of the two countries,” Mehta added.
He said that in August this year the centre held two camps in Pakistan wherein they provided 735 artificial limbs, 142 calipers and 100 pairs of crutches to the needy.
“Besides Pakistan, we are also planning to have some centres in Africa,” he pointed out.
Earlier this year, the NGO opened a joint venture in Colombia. The BMVSS, which provides artificial limbs free of cost, has also entered into a project with Stanford University for the development of prototype of a joint for above the knee limb.
“We already had discussions with them (Stanford University) and the project would start from January 2008. It would be a great boon to the handicapped all over the world,” Mehta said.
The centre is also discussing with a technical institute in Canada for development of electronic hand.
BMVSS, in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), recently improved the quality of prosthesis by using new technology and material.
The beauty of the Jaipur foot is its lightness and mobility-those who wear it can run, climb trees and pedal bicycles-and its low price. While prosthesis for a similar level of amputation can cost several thousand dollars in the US, the Jaipur Foot costs around $35 in India.