Health Minister Khaleeq Ur Rehman Honors Skilled PWD Trainees at Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic & Orthotic Sciences

In a significant step toward promoting rehabilitation and economic inclusion, Provincial Minister for Health, Mr. Khaleeq Ur Rehman, attended a certificate distribution ceremony at Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic & Orthotic Sciences, recognizing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who successfully completed short-term professional training programs.

The ceremony highlighted a powerful transformation, where individuals once receiving care as patients progressed into skilled trainees, equipped with practical competencies aimed at enabling independent and sustainable livelihoods. The initiative reflects a growing emphasis on rehabilitation that goes beyond clinical care to include social and economic reintegration.

The vocational training initiative,  a key component of the Social Inclusion Services under the ICRC’s Physical Rehabilitation Programme (PRP), is  instrumental in empowering persons with disabilities. The program, fully supported by the ICRC, was implemented in partnership with PIPOS, which referred persons with disabilities for training in various trades. The training, coupled with accredited certifications from TEVTA,  enabled persons with disabilities to pursue self-employment initiatives or formal employment opportunities, ensuring their economic security and societal  reintegration as productive members of society after acquiring disabilities.

Upon his arrival, the Minister was warmly received by Chairman PIPOS Professor Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan and Managing Director Dr. Abid Hussain, Pysical Rehabilitation Program Manager ICRC Pakistan Mr. Ahmed al Mosa, Disability Inclusion Adviseor ICRC Pakistan Mr. Iqbal Adrali and Program Manager ICRC Peshawar Mr. Aziz Ahmed.

Dr. Abid briefed on the institute’s ongoing efforts and strategic vision. During his visit, Mr. Khaleeq Ur Rehman conducted a detailed inspection of key departments, including the PRSP and physiotherapy sections, and reviewed the institute’s Gait Lab—an essential facility for advanced mobility assessment and rehabilitation planning.

A comprehensive presentation was delivered outlining the scope of services offered by PIPOS, along with its future development plans aimed at expanding access and improving quality of care for persons with disabilities across the region.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister commended the institute’s performance and its critical role in strengthening rehabilitation services. He particularly appreciated the model of empowering individuals through skill development, noting that such initiatives are instrumental in fostering dignity, independence, and social inclusion.

Concluding the ceremony, Mr. Khaleeq Ur Rehman distributed certificates among the successful trainees and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the institutional growth of PIPOS, emphasizing the need to further enhance rehabilitation infrastructure and opportunities for persons with disabilities in the province.

Courtesy: PIPOS Official