‘Spread awareness about assistive technologies in healthcare’

Srinagar, Sep 13: A two-day regional workshop for northern sites of multi-centric ICMR task force study on the Assessment of unmet needs and access to assistive technologies among the general population through digital rATA tool- a cross-sectional survey in India was held at Government Medical College Srinagar.

The workshop was conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar. The event was attended by ICMR team led by Dr. Ravinder Singh, senior scientist, Dr. Salaj Rana and Dr. Geeta Rani Scientist-C while the participants include principal investigators, co-principal investigators, project technical staff from northern sites including Institute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women, Sonepat and GMC Srinagar.

The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Iffat Hassan, Principal/ Dean, Government Medical College, Srinagar who appreciated the initiative of assessment of assistive technology. “This will help us to know actual need emphasised application of assistive technology among all people in need for such services,” she said.

Assistive products could be aids, appliances, instruments, equipments, and softwares used to mimic, replace or enhance the functions like locomotor/mobility, visual/blindness, hearing/deafness, cognition (memory), communication/speech, self-care, or sports/recreation/leisure activities.

Dr. Ashoo Grover, Scientist-G & Head, Delivery Research Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi also delivered lecture online while resource persons from ICMR New Delhi, the PIs and Co-PIs including Suman Badhal & Dr. Jugal Kishore from VMMC Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi, Dr. Sangeeta Kansal & Dr. Alok Kumar from IMS BHU Banarus, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Jha & Dr. Anita Punia from BPS GMCW Sonepat. Dr S Muhammad Salim Khan and Dr. Mariya Amin Qurieshi from GMC Srinagar also deliberated and participated in group discussions and hands–on trainings.