Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) will start manufacturing new generation prosthetics early next year in collaboration with German firm Ottobock at its factory in Kanpur, Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot has said.
"ALIMCO had in September last year, under 'Make In India' initiative, inked Transfer of Technology and Technical and Consultancy Services agreement with Ottobock for mass manufacturing of lower-limb prosthetic systems for persons with disabilities at an affordable price" Gehlot told PTI.
The Social Justice & Empowerment minister was here for a programme where Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed aid to 'Divyangs' on October 22.
ALIMCO works with the support of Department of Empowerment of Person with Disability (DEPwD) and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).
"ALIMCO would start manufacturing world-class artificial limbs by early 2017. The target for the first year is 5,000 such limbs. By the fifth year, the annual target should be 10,000," Gehlot added.
As per the pact, 30 per cent of the ALIMCO-manufactured artificial limbs will be bought by prosthetic limb and wheelchair maker Ottobock.
"ALIMCO has signed an MoU with Motivation UK to work together for producing affordable state-of-art wheelchairs having compliance to WHO guidelines," Gehlot said.
According to the minister, it will lead to transfer of technology from Motivation UK to ALIMCO for manufacturing new generation wheelchairs for rough terrains and adjustable wheelchairs.
He also said that ALIMCO, which was a loss making PSU, has started earning profit after Narendra Modi-led government came to power two and half years ago.
"The government has filled up over 14,500 vacant posts for the 'Diyangs' in various departments," the minister said.
"To cope up with technological advancement at global level in the field of rehabilitation, ALIMCO has taken initiative and collaborated with the international firms for manufacturing new products in the country at an affordable price," Gehlot added.
"During visit of British Prime Minister Theresa May to India in early next month, Centre would discuss the ALIMCO signing an MoU with Motivation UK," he said.
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