LAHORE: The Punjab government and the Republic of Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend cooperation in the fields of physical disability, rehabilitation engineering, and health sciences.
A Korean delegation visited the King Edward Medical University (KEMU) on Friday and delivered a presentation, highlighting the evolution of Mayo Hospital’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Workshop, current requirements and challenges regarding prosthetic rehabilitation, besides the necessity and significance of the proposed project.
A spokesperson for the health department said that Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, KEMU Vice Chancellor Prof Mahmood Ayaz and other senior faculty members were also present.
Addressing the event, the minister said the Punjab government would extend full cooperation to the Republic of Korea for this project. He said the agreement marked a significant milestone in international cooperation within the fields of physical disability, rehabilitation engineering, and health sciences.
The spokesperson said that the visiting delegation also outlined the project’s duration, objectives, and expected outcomes. A grant totalling US $4 million will be provided for this project.
Key components include the comprehensive upgrade and modernisation of the Prosthetics and Orthotics Workshop at Mayo Hospital, the procurement and installation of state-of-the-art equipment, capacity building for master trainers through training in the Republic of Korea, and the provision of technical assistance by Korean experts.
As an initial target, he said, approximately 800 individuals who have undergone limb amputations would be provided with modern, high-quality prosthetic devices. The initiative aims not only to improve access to modern prosthetics and rehabilitation facilities but also to establish sustainable, self-reliant local capacity for prosthetics and orthotics services.
The spokesperson added that KEMU would lead the overall implementation of the project. The Project Management Unit (PMU) would oversee the project, while academic activities and capacity-building initiatives would be managed under the university’s supervision.
Dr Sehoon Park, Managing Director of Rehabilitation Engineering Research Institute (RERI), Korea, acknowledged the Punjab government’s cooperation on the project, noting that the health initiatives undertaken by the government were praiseworthy.
KEMU VC Prof Mahmood Ayaz said that the social welfare department would assist in identifying deserving individuals — particularly those with physical impairments or disabilities — and referring them for relevant services.
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) would cooperate in developing and managing the project’s database and providing the necessary IT infrastructure, he said.
Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026
