Provision of artificial limbs: Paraplegic Centres set up at five sites after official approval

LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a programme for provision of artificial limbs under which Paraplegic Centres have been established at five sites in Punjab.

Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari while talking with the scribe exclusively revealed that the Punjab government would spend Rs300 million on this programme under which around 3,000 expected patients would be benefited. Talking expected timelines of the project, she said the programme would be started in August 2024 and in September 2024 the patients would start signing up for CM’s Programme for Provision of Artificial Limbs, which would be provided to the patients in December, 2024.

Artificial Limb centres will provide customised services for people in need of assistive devices, Azma Bukhari said, adding as per details of the programme, the centres would provide various services to the citizens.

Under Medical and Nursing services, Nursing care, Medical and orthotic care, Nutritional management and Surgical intervention (facility will refer patient to specialised facility) will be provided to the patients.

Under Rehabilitative Therapy services, the patients will be provided the services of Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Psychotherapy and psychosocial support, Speech and language pathology and Skills building (through Tevta).

Under Assistive Device Services, the patients will get the services of Casting and molding of prosthetic limbs, Assembling of new devices, Rectification, maintenance and calibration, Customised wheelchairs, prosthetic and other devices for mobility and Supply chain and inventory management of assistive devices. The Provincial Information Minister said the five centres were established at DHQ Multan (30 bed Hub site), Wah General Hospital (Rawalpindi), THQ Samanabad (Lahore), General Hospital (Faisalabad) and THQ Taunsa (DG Khan). Azma Bukhari said that the chief minister would be personally monitoring this programme. She said Maryam Nawaz’s major priorities included improvement of health sector.