This summit explores the vision to 2030, bringing together global experts and new voices to share big ideas. We’ll hear what’s been tested and what’s been learnt – asking the question: What next for disability innovation?
In this video, Pratisthit Lal Shrestha, Assistant Professor at Kathmandu University and head of the Design Lab, discusses the challenges and opportunities of developing healthcare and assistive technologies in low-resource settings such as Nepal.
He highlights the lack of local industry support and validation infrastructure for assistive devices, which often forces reliance on expensive, imported solutions ill-suited to local needs. To address this, he advocates for leveraging global networks—partnering with international institutions such as UCL for standardized testing and validation of locally developed prototypes.
The Design Lab’s work includes a collaboration with the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub to develop a custom prosthetic foot for a patient with a diabetic foot amputation, using additive manufacturing (3D printing) and flexible materials like TPU to achieve tailored stiffness profiles. The lab is also developing a compact temperature-monitoring device for prosthetic sockets, capable of recording data for up to 100 days to support patient health and comfort.
Shrestha closes by underscoring that breaking down international boundaries is key to building sustainable, locally-driven solutions for global healthcare challenges.