By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Orthotics and Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI), a national body of professionals actively involved in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, organized the 20th National Conference of OPAI in association with the Department of Orthopedics, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong from February 14-16.
Meghalaya Governor, RS Mooshahary said that in India there are about 60 million people with various types of disabilities of which the major disability is pulse polio which constitutes 25% to 30% people.
“The number of people with disability has been reduced by pulse polio immunization program of the Government of India. Amputation is also one disability which is much easier to cure, though artificially, as hands and legs are the limbs with which human beings gives expression to their thoughts into visual effects,” said the Governor in the inaugural session on Tuesday.
He said that human beings with their intelligence and skill have developed orthopedic artificial equipment and it’s a great empowerment for people with disability and there are people who have overcome total disability and even climbed the Mount Everest.
“These locomotive disabilities can be easily overcome and time is not far when we can change an entire hand or a leg in our endeavor to make life more meaningful,” he said adding that disabilities of eyes, ears, throat and veins are repaired now.
“But to me a man is permanently incapacitated if he has a disabled mind otherwise no disability can disable the spirit of humans,” he added amidst huge applause.
Deputy Chief Minister BM Lanong said that rheumatism, arthritis, leg pain, vascular pain is commonly faced by the people of the state. “This seminar has to look into these issues and whether it is due to the altitude. There is no such problem from people residing in same altitude places like Shimla and Itanagar,” he said.
Informing that the state is severely lacking in skilled manpower, equipment and modern use of technology, he said that there is need for people like those gathered at the seminar from all over the country and abroad.
Others who spoke at the function were Director, NEIGRIHMS; Prof A Santa Singh, President, OPAI and Organizing Chairman OPAI 2012 B Madhouraj, Organizing Secretary, OPAI 2012 Th Borbabu Singh.
A souvenir was also released on the occasion.