India provides free artificial limbs for Vietnamese with disabilities

Representatives of patients in Vinh Phuc receive free artificial limb on the opening ceremony (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - More than 500 people with disabilities in the northern provinces of Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho will have an opportunity to receive artificial limbs from the Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp, which is part of a Vietnam – India friendship cooperation programme.

The launch of the Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp on July 10 in Vinh Phuc saw the participation of officials of Vinh Phuc province, the Ambassador of India to Vietnam, and representatives of Spark Minds, Jaipur Foot, and Ashok Minda, among others.

Speaking at the ceremony, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Parvathaneni Harish said: “The loss of limbs during the many wars happened in Vietnam is a serious humanitarian issue and the Government and people of India are happy to help who have become disabled.” 

He also stressed during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Vietnam in 2016, leaders of the two countries decided to upgrade the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The successful visit of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for ASEAN-India Commemorative summit in India in January and President Tran Dai Quang’s State visit in March this year have given a fresh impetus to bilateral engagement.

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Vinh Phuc Nguyen Van Tri lauded the programme as meaningful cooperation between the two countries.

Accordingly, technical personnel, equipment, materials and tools will be sent to Vietnam to deploy the work.

Under this humanitarian project, participating disabled people will be provided with artificial limbs free in July and August 2018.

An Indian doctor and a Vietnamese young patient at the event (Source: VNA)

The civilizational relationship between the two countries and strong people-to-people relations is over 2000 years old. In recent times, India stood by Vietnam during the period of national liberation, national reunification and national reconstruction.

The project represents a strong symbol of friendship and people-to-people cooperation between the two countries and is taking place just after both countries celebrated the Year of Friendship in 2017 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership.-VNA