A two-day regional workshop for northern sites of multi-centric ICMR task force study on the 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 Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar on 12th and 13th September 2024 at Government Medical College,
Srinagar which was attended by ICMR team led by Dr. Ravinder Singh, senior scientist, Dr. Salaj Rana and Dr. Geeta Rani Scientist-C while the participants include principal investigators, co-principal investigators, project technical staff from northern sites including Institute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University, VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women, Sonepat and Government Medical College, Srinagar.
The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Iffat Hassan, Principal/ Dean, Government Medical College, Srinagar who while appreciating the initiative of assessment of assistive technology to know the actually need emphasized application of assistive technology among all people in need for such services. We know the assistive technology is a broader term for products, systems, & services and help the people with functional impairments
Assistive products could be aids, appliances, instruments, equipments, and softwares used to mimic, replace or enhance the functions like locomotor/mobility, visual/blindness, hearing/deafness, cognition (memory), communication/speech, self-care, or sports/recreation/leisure activities. Dr. Ashoo Grover, Scientist-G & Head, Delivery Research Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi also delivered lecture online while resource persons from ICMR New Delhi, the PIs and Co-PIs including Suman Badhal & Dr. Jugal Kishore from VMMC Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi, Dr. Sangeeta Kansal & Dr. Alok Kumar from IMS BHU Banarus, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Jha & Dr. Anita Punia from BPS GMCW Sonepat and Dr. S Muhammad Salim Khan & Dr. Mariya Amin Qurieshi from GMC Srinagar also deliberated and participated in group discussions and hands–on trainings. A field visit was also conducted in the community for real-life hands-on experience. The certificates of participations were distributed at the valedictory function chaired by Dr. Ravindra Singh
Government Medical College, Srinagar has been assigned district Pulwama for the rATA study for which deputy commissioner Pulwama has already given permission and assigned chief medical officer, Pulwama to facilitate the study of national and global significance.
