The Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Kozhikode (CRC-K) has assessed 54 people with disabilities and prescribed prosthetic, orthotic and other assistive devices for them. It ran the initiative in collaboration with Nirmala Hospital and Omega Rehab. The programme focused on people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may struggle to access essential assistive technology.
Assessment first, not uniform distribution
Each of the 54 beneficiaries was assessed individually. CRC-K says devices were prescribed according to each person’s clinical condition, functional requirements and rehabilitation needs, rather than through a uniform distribution approach.
Mr Akshay Kumar, Head of the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics at CRC-K, said appropriate clinical assessment and need-based prescription are fundamental to making sure each beneficiary receives a device suited to their function. He said prosthetic, orthotic and assistive devices should be regarded as essential rehabilitation interventions that promote mobility, independence and social participation, and that their effectiveness depends on assessment, prescription, fitting, user training and follow-up.
Reaching the most deprived
Dr Roshan Bijlee, Director of CRC-K, stressed that rehabilitation services must reach the most deprived and underserved sections of society, and that financial constraints should not become a barrier to essential rehabilitation and assistive technology. He said institutional collaborations can help bridge access gaps and enable persons with disabilities to pursue greater independence, dignity and participation in community life. He reiterated CRC-K’s commitment to extending need-based services beyond its own institutional boundaries.
The partners
Mr Dinesh Kumar of Omega Rehab highlighted the role of partnerships and collective social responsibility in closing the assistive technology gap, and said coordinated efforts can improve access to appropriate devices and support independent living. Mr Joseph of Nirmala Hospital underlined the importance of institutional collaboration in extending healthcare and rehabilitation support to underserved communities, particularly people facing financial barriers. CRC-K describes the programme as an example of how institutional partnerships and CSR engagement can contribute to more inclusive rehabilitation.
Ahead of International Day of Prosthetics and Orthotics
The initiative was organised in the run-up to the International Day of Prosthetics and Orthotics (IPOD). CRC-K said the day is a chance to recognise the contribution of prosthetists and orthotists, raise awareness of equitable access to assistive technology, and call for stronger institutional mechanisms, professional collaboration and community-based initiatives. Other IPOD 2026 activity in India includes the OPAI Delhi Chapter’s event at the National Rail Museum.
Bharat CPO Perspective
Kerala has strong rehabilitation institutions, as our Kerala State Profile sets out, and the Composite Regional Centres were created to take that expertise beyond the national institutes. CRC-K’s emphasis on individual assessment by its P&O department is the right model: a device prescribed for a person’s function is far more likely to be used than one handed out at a camp. Pairing a government centre with a hospital and a private rehabilitation provider also spreads the work of fabrication, fitting and follow-up. The next step worth reporting will be how many of the 54 prescriptions are fitted, and how users are followed up and trained, since that is where long-term outcomes are decided.
Frequently asked questions
Who ran the initiative? CRC-K, Kozhikode, in collaboration with Nirmala Hospital and Omega Rehab.
How many people were assessed? 54 beneficiaries were assessed individually and prescribed prosthetic, orthotic or other assistive devices.
Who was it for? Persons with disabilities, with a focus on people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Suggested hyperlinks / sources
- News feature submitted to Bharat CPO by the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, CRC-K, Kozhikode (November 2026)
- Bharat CPO: The History of India’s Composite Regional Centres
- Bharat CPO: AMTZ provides customised assistive devices to 110 beneficiaries at Kozhikode camp
- Bharat CPO: NGOs and Camps