PPAF Partners with PIRS Islamabad and PIDS to Strengthen Prosthetics & Orthotics Skills in Balochistan

07 August 2026 : The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences (PIRS), Islamabad, and Participatory Integrated Development Society (PIDS) to strengthen skills development in Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O).

The initiative represents an important step toward supporting the KUMAK Programme for Persons with Disabilitiesof the Government of Balochistan and addressing the shortage of skilled professionals capable of providing prosthetic and orthotic services in the province.

The collaboration responds to a request from the Social Welfare Department, Government of Balochistan, which identified the need to develop human resources and technical skills in the field of Prosthetics and Orthotics.

As part of the initiative, 10 students from Balochistan were selected through a structured selection process to pursue specialized training at PIRS, Islamabad. The programme aims to equip the selected students with relevant knowledge and practical skills that can contribute to the provision of rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.

The development of trained P&O professionals is particularly significant for regions where access to specialized rehabilitation services remains limited. Prosthetists and orthotists play an essential role in supporting mobility, independence, functional rehabilitation and participation among people with disabilities.

The partnership also reflects PPAF’s broader commitment to inclusive development, youth skills development and expanding opportunities for underserved communities.

For the selected students, the opportunity marks more than just professional training. It provides a pathway toward developing specialized careers while potentially contributing to improved access to prosthetic and orthotic services within Balochistan.

The initiative is expected to provide the students with an opportunity to learn, gain practical experience and develop professional competencies at PIRS Islamabad before applying their skills to support rehabilitation services in their communities.

The journey of these students—from Balochistan to Islamabad and into specialized Prosthetics and Orthotics training—also highlights the importance of investing in local human resources to build sustainable rehabilitation systems.

As the programme progresses, the experiences, aspirations and future goals of the selected students will provide valuable insight into how skills development initiatives can contribute to the rehabilitation workforce and disability-inclusive development in Pakistan.

The partnership between PPAF, PIRS and PIDS is therefore a significant development for Prosthetics and Orthotics education and workforce development, with the potential to create new opportunities for both young professionals and persons with disabilities in Balochistan.