photo credit : Dawn
Life is a tough test for disabled people, and it’s not only the problem in Pakistan but throughout the world. According to the latest survey, the number of handicapped people in Pakistan is around 6.2%, which is huge and a matter of concern. Today’s science and technology have enabled the replacement of cynicism with hope, as certain institutes and organizations in Pakistan are now able to provide artificial limbs, a significant advancement in the field of healthcare. Institute not only treats their disabilities, but it’s also an initiative to bring such people back to life.
The growing number of handicapped persons is also due to terrorism. The global terrorism index ranked Pakistan as the 5th most affected country by terrorism, which is in fact one of the reasons for the higher ratio of handicapped persons in Pakistan because of suicide attacks, mass assassinations, and many other violent tragedies. In Pakistan, a unique effort is changing the lives of people with upper-limb disabilities. By 2025, over 10,000 disabled people will have received prosthetic arms from the “Artificial Arm Project.” It restores their self-reliance and dignity. Since it started, this effort has fitted over 3,500 people—both adults and children—with unique prosthetic limbs. This initiative has achieved a 95% success rate, significantly enhancing their self-esteem and mobility. Each individual receives a prosthetic, which costs approximately PKR 150,000 (USD 900) per arm. This initiative represents the power of creativity and compassion in restoring hope to people who have lost it.
Women and girls with disabilities experience severe issues in Pakistan. Isolated, they face poverty and discrimination. They lack healthcare, education, and jobs. Access barriers make things worse. To help these people, we need inclusive policies. Public education helps too. Community-based programs are equally important. Economic programs help them become self-sufficient. Vocational training enables them to contribute. Schools should promote diversity and empathy. Together, we can create opportunities for all.
The invention of a robotic prosthetic limb by mechatronics engineering students Ovais Qureshi and Anas Niaz resulted in the establishment of Bioniks, Pakistan’s first biomedical venture. Thanks to the sensors on the arm, users are able to visualize motions in order to move appendages. Bioniks’ unique prostheses, manufactured in Pakistan, cost $2000. By 2025, we anticipate the global market for robotic prosthetics to reach $1.76 billion.
Qatar Charity, in collaboration with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics, has supplied prosthetic limbs to 260 handicapped Pakistanis. The Swat region received two hundred prosthetic limbs, while sixty users in the same district also received them. The idea, which has won accolades for its clever execution, intends to improve mobility for those with disabilities. Qualified medical experts created prosthetic limbs to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
The Artificial Arm Project gives individuals who face challenges with their upper limbs optimism that they can regain their self-reliance and reintegrate into society. This novel concept benefits lives and boosts Pakistan’s economy. Science and technology may address important problems and enhance economic growth. Since Pakistan wants to develop, it must invest in research and technology. The Artificial Arm Project exemplifies how progress can benefit people’s lives and the country’s progress. Using our knowledge of science and technology, we can provide Pakistan with a better future.
With the Artificial Arm Project, the lives of people like Sarah and Mustafa, who lost their arms in accidents, have changed. The creation of prosthetic appendages has restored their confidence and enabled them to carry out their normal duties. It ensures oneness and a sense of belonging in a harmonious community where people with disabilities can achieve everything and contribute to nation-building.