A five-day free surgery and artificial limb camp at JIET Medical College and Hospital (JMCH), Jodhpur has provided specialist foot and ankle treatment for children living with congenital hand and foot deformities.
The camp was organised in collaboration with the International Society for Human Welfare and Rehabilitation (ISHWAR), New Delhi, and KBH, bringing together medical teams from India, Austria and Germany. According to the original report, 16 children received free foot and ankle surgeries during the camp, following an earlier screening process in which around 50 children were assessed. Some children were also fitted with artificial limbs according to their individual needs.
The international team included Prof. Dr. Ernst Orthner from Austria, identified in the report as Head of the Foot and Ankle Center in Austria, and Dr. Thorsten Rendt from Germany. Their participation reflects the growing role of cross-border clinical collaboration in expanding access to specialised paediatric orthopaedic and rehabilitation services.
For children with congenital deformities of the feet and ankles, timely surgical intervention can be life-changing. Improved alignment, stability and function may help children stand, walk and participate more fully in daily life. In settings where access to specialist paediatric orthopaedic care remains limited, free surgical camps can also help identify children who need follow-up rehabilitation, orthotic support, prosthetic fitting or long-term mobility care.
JMCH’s Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ranjana Mathur, said the visiting Austrian experts shared knowledge on current techniques, treatment protocols and international standards in foot and ankle surgery with the JMCH medical team. This knowledge-sharing element is important because surgical camps can deliver immediate patient benefit while also strengthening local clinical capacity.
Dr. Deepak Verma, Principal and Controller of JMCH, said the institution remains committed to improving healthcare services and encouraging global collaboration. He noted that international cooperation helps improve treatment quality for children while giving doctors and medical staff exposure to world-class expertise.
JMCH describes itself as a healthcare institution in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, supported by the Arun Shanti Education Trust, with healthcare services commencing in April 2021. ISHWAR, meanwhile, is a New Delhi-based rehabilitation organisation working in human welfare and rehabilitation services.
For India’s prosthetics, orthotics and rehabilitation community, the Jodhpur camp highlights a recurring priority: access to surgery is only one part of the care pathway. Children with congenital limb differences often need coordinated follow-up involving physiotherapy, orthotic management, prosthetic services where appropriate, gait training, family education and long-term review.
The JMCH initiative therefore offers a useful model for integrated outreach: specialist assessment, corrective surgery, assistive device provision and local clinical learning delivered through collaboration between hospitals, NGOs and international experts.