India: Helping disabled people in the north-east of country
| Publisher | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) |
| Publication Date | 3 December 2010 |
| Cite as | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), India: Helping disabled people in the north-east of country, 3 December 2010, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4cf8e6792.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
"Injuries inflicted by anti-personnel mines or other explosive weapons can lead to amputation, severe disability and psychological trauma. These casualties require specialist surgery and post-operative care in the first instance and rehabilitation and psychological support in the longer term," said Achilles Otou-Essono, an ICRC physical rehabilitation programme manager. "The best way to overcome these medical challenges is to have highly skilled, professional personnel and to use suitable materials. This is clearly what we aim to achieve in Dimapur."
The work carried out in cooperation with the District Disability Rehabilitation Centre will result in improved care for patients. The centre is stocked with the latest machines and equipment for people who have lost their limbs in accidents or who have been injured by anti-personnel mines or other types of explosive weapons. Patients will be provided with prostheses, orthoses, crutches and wheelchairs and will also receive physiotherapy.
"This centre is aimed at helping all those in India's north-east in need of medical devices, mobility aids and physiotherapy," said François Stamm, head of the ICRC delegation in India. "Hopefully it will attract patients from Nagaland and nearby states like Manipur, Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram."
The ICRC has been running a physical rehabilitation programme for disabled people in India since 2004. Currently, the organization supports two facilities in government-run hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu. In addition, the ICRC is planning to develop another centre in Chhattisgarh.
For further information, please contact:
Alexis Heeb, ICRC New Delhi, tel: +91 97 11 30 9561
