An Artificial Limb Fitment Camp supported by Government of India under the ‘India for Humanity’ project has been set up by Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), of Jaipur Foot fame, at St Paul’s Hospital in Addis Ababa. It was formally inaugurated on 29th November 2019 by Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister of Labour & Social Affairs, Dr. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin, State Minister of Health and Ambassador of India to Ethiopia and the African Union Anurag Srivastava. The camp will provide and fit artificial limbs free of cost to more than 500 persons with disabilities and will be in operation till 31st December 2019.
Speaking at the inaugural event, Ambassador Anurag Srivastava informed that the ‘India for Humanity’ initiative was launched by the Indian government as a tribute to the philosophy of compassion, caring and service to humanity of one of the greatest men who lived in the last century, Mahatma Gandhi, and to mark his 150th birth anniversary. He highlighted that India has a large and growing development partnership with countries in Africa, including with Ethiopia. This partnership has a strong humanitarian component and shares experience and knowledge in a spirit of solidarity with these countries which are treading similar paths of socio-economic development. He also outlined the ten guiding principles for India’s engagement with Africa as laid down by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi last year and said that India’s development partnership is inspired by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutambakam – which says the world is one family.