India has once again reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to humanitarian outreach and people-centric development cooperation in Afghanistan, recently organizing a five-day "Jaipur Foot" prosthetic limb camp in Kabul. Held from June 19 to 24, this initiative successfully restored mobility and dignity to 75 Afghan nationals, providing them with essential prosthetic limbs free of cost. The camp was a collaborative effort between the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) of Jaipur, globally renowned for its pioneering work with the Jaipur Foot, and the Indian Embassy in Kabul.

This particular camp was a direct response to a request from Afghan authorities. Recognizing the significant number of amputees in the country, a tragic consequence of decades of conflict and ongoing accidents involving unexploded ordnance, the initiative aimed to address a critical need. Beneficiaries were meticulously selected by a government hospital in Kabul, ensuring that those most in urgent need of support received assistance. A cornerstone of the program was its commitment to providing all prosthetic limbs, mobility aids, and related services entirely free of charge, removing any financial barriers to access.

The Jaipur Foot itself received high praise from Afghan experts for its exceptional quality, cost-effectiveness, and remarkable adaptability to the diverse local climatic, economic, and geographical conditions of Afghanistan. Beyond the immediate provision of limbs, a crucial aspect of the camp was its focus on local capacity building. Over the five-day period, local Afghan doctors, biomedical engineers, and technicians received intensive training in prosthetic manufacturing. Furthermore, machines and raw materials were handed over to the hospital, fostering self-reliance and ensuring the continuity of prosthetic services in Afghanistan long after the camp concluded.

BMVSS professionals also incorporated motivational and patient-centric care into their approach. They conducted vital motivational sessions for amputees both before and after the fittings, emphasizing holistic emotional and physical rehabilitation. This camp is a clear manifestation of India's broader humanitarian aid framework for Afghanistan, which encompasses a wide array of support including food, medicines, scholarships, and various capacity-building programs, all designed to alleviate suffering and empower the Afghan people. BMVSS, with its impressive track record, has conducted over 110 on-the-spot fitment camps across 44 countries worldwide, with 28 of these initiatives receiving support under India's "India for Humanity" global initiative, underscoring the widespread impact of the Jaipur Foot.