A two-day regional workshop for the northern sites of the multi-centric ICMR task force study, Assessment of Unmet Needs and Access to Assistive Technologies Among the General Population Through Digital rATA Tool: A Cross-Sectional Survey in India, was conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar, on 12th and 13th September 2024.
The event was attended by the ICMR team led by Dr. Ravinder Singh (Senior Scientist), Dr. Salaj Rana, and Dr. Geeta Rani (Scientist-C). Participants included principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and technical project staff from northern sites, such as the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU), VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women (BPS GMCW), Sonepat, and Government Medical College, Srinagar.
The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Iffat Hassan, Principal/Dean of Government Medical College, Srinagar, who appreciated the initiative to assess assistive technology needs. She emphasized the importance of ensuring assistive technology is applied to all people in need. Prof. Hassan highlighted that assistive technology encompasses products, systems, and services that support individuals with functional impairments. Dr. Ashoo Grover, Scientist-G & Head of the Delivery Research Division at ICMR, also delivered a lecture online. Additionally, resource persons from ICMR New Delhi and participants, including Suman Badhal and Dr. Jugal Kishore from VMMC Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Dr. Sangeeta Kansal and Dr. Alok Kumar from IMS BHU, Banaras, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Jha and Dr. Anita Punia from BPS GMCW, Sonepat, and Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan and Dr. Mariya Amin Qurieshi from GMC Srinagar, took part in group discussions and hands-on training sessions.
