Workshop on Assessment of Locomotor Disability
Dr Rajeena H, Professor, Government Medical College, Thrissur
The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Government Medical College, Thrissur organized a workshop on the assessment of locomotor disability on 14th July 2024, at the Alumni Auditorium, in the Medical College. The workshop aimed to enlighten participants about the new guidelines on disability evaluation published by the Government of India in March 2024.
The event began with a silent prayer, followed by a welcome speech from Dr. Shiby T G, HOD and Professor of the Department of PMR. Dr. K B Sanal Kumar, Vice Principal of Government Medical College, Thrissur, inaugurated the workshop by lighting the lamp. In his inaugural address, he emphasized the importance of such workshops in imparting up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Felicitation addresses were delivered by Dr. Selvan, President of the IAPMR Kerala Chapter; Dr. Santhosh Babu, Senior Consultant Physiatrist at NIPMR; and Dr. Biju Krishnan, HOD of Neurosurgery at Government Medical College Kottayam.
Dr. Shiby T G provided a brief introduction to the topics. Sessions on the evaluation of impairments in the upper and lower extremities, spine, chronic neurological conditions, cerebral palsy and other conditions with locomotor disabilities were conducted by Dr. Roy R Chandran, Dr. Selvan P, Dr. Arun A John, Dr. Shehadad, Dr. Pradeep Kumar Kalathil, Dr. Rajeena H, Dr. Sonu Mohan, Dr. Arun Ram, and Dr. Sudhil T R.
Dr. Roy R Chandran discussed the issues faced by doctors on MACT boards, ESI boards, and boards issuing fitness certificates for driving licenses for persons with disabilities, and elaborated on the various rules and guidelines pertaining to them. Dr. Arun A John explained the detailed steps for online disability certification for issuing unique disability IDs.
A total of fifty doctors, including physiatrists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons, actively participated in the workshop. The event provided a platform for active interaction among faculty and delegates, allowing for the clearing of doubts.
A hands-on disability assessment of patients with various disabilities was also conducted. In the concluding session, the resource persons were honoured with mementos, and certificates were distributed to the delegates.