Narayan Seva Sansthan, with CSR support from Ingersoll Rand, records 73 beneficiaries for artificial limbs, 14 for callipers, and seven for corrective surgery.

More than 128 people with disabilities attended a free medical assessment camp organised by Narayan Seva Sansthan at Atal Kalam Campus, Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad. The camp assessed people for corrective surgery and artificial limbs, with measurements taken for 73 people for artificial limbs and 14 for callipers. Seven people were selected for free corrective surgery.

 The event was organised with corporate social responsibility (CSR) support from Ingersoll Rand. It brought together medical specialists, prosthetic and orthotic professionals, company representatives and social workers to assess the needs of people seeking treatment and mobility aids.

One of the main moments came during the inauguration, when 10 people with disabilities walked independently after being fitted with artificial limbs. Their participation offered a practical view of how suitable mobility devices can help people with limb loss move around more easily.

The camp began with the traditional lighting of a lamp by Vincent Reynal, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ingersoll Rand. Vikram Kini, the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, presided over the event.

Other representatives from Ingersoll Rand included Elizabeth Heffelding, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development; Jonathan Lux, Vice President, Enterprise Storage and Growth Initiatives; Peter Eng, Business Development Leader; Sunil Khanduja, Managing Director, Ingersoll Rand India Limited; Mahadev Patel, Head of HR; Aditi Mehrotra, Head of CSR; Vishwas Deshmukh, Plant Head; and Nagraj Padki, Procurement Manager.

Social workers Vallabhbhai Dhanani, Ashutoshbhai Pandit, Kiritbhai Shah, Chinnubhai Patel and Satishbhai Baviskar also attended.

Reynal said providing free services to people with disabilities was an act of humanity. He praised Narayan Seva Sansthan for offering treatment and helping people work towards greater independence. He also thanked the organisation’s president, Prashant Agrawal, for his service.

Kini said free medical support could help people with disabilities gain greater independence. He pointed to the role of artificial limbs in helping recipients improve their mobility.

Prashant Agrawal said those selected at the Ahmedabad camp would receive artificial limbs and callipers free of cost at a future camp. Narayan Seva Sansthan’s Narayan Modular Artificial Limbs use Japanese and German technology. According to the organisation, the devices are designed to be lightweight, durable and easy to use.

Palak Agrawal, director of the Sansthan, said the people whose measurements were taken would receive their artificial limbs free of cost at another camp in Ahmedabad, expected to take place in about two months. A team of around 25 medical and technical professionals worked at the October camp.

The organisers also arranged meals, tea and refreshments for beneficiaries and their family members. Palak Agrawal, Abhimanyu Singh Gohil from the CSR department and camp in-charge Ramesh Sharma welcomed the guests in the traditional Mewar style. Visiting dignitaries spoke with beneficiaries and learnt about the treatment and rehabilitation process. Jitendra Sharma coordinated the camp.

The next stage will be important for those assessed in Ahmedabad. Taking measurements helps medical and technical teams prepare devices suited to each person’s needs. Proper fitting and follow-up are also needed for comfort, safe movement and daily use.

Narayan Seva Sansthan was established in 1985 by Kailash “Manav”, who later received the Padma Shri for his work in social service. Based in Udaipur, Rajasthan, the organisation provides medical care, corrective surgery, artificial limbs and other forms of assistance to people with disabilities and those in need.

The Sansthan reports that 40,809 people have received artificial limbs free of cost and that more than 4.56 lakh people have benefited from free medical services. Its president, Prashant Agrawal, received the President’s Award in 2023 for his contribution to the welfare of people with disabilities.

The Ahmedabad camp also reflects a wider need for affordable mobility aids. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF reported in 2022 that more than 2.5 billion people worldwide needed one or more assistive products, including wheelchairs, hearing aids and prostheses. Nearly one billion people lacked access to the products they needed.

In India, the government’s Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase or Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme has operated since 1981. It supports eligible people who need devices such as artificial limbs, braces and wheelchairs. Charitable organisations and government programmes both have a role in making such equipment available to people who cannot afford it.

For someone who needs an artificial limb, the cost of the device can be a major barrier. Medical assessment, fitting and rehabilitation also require trained staff and time. A free camp can reduce some of these costs, particularly for families who would otherwise struggle to pay for treatment.

The Ahmedabad camp brought together these services under one roof. Its next test will be the delivery of the promised artificial limbs and callipers, along with the planned corrective surgeries. The follow-up camp, expected in about two months, is due to give those assessed in October the next stage of care.

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