Orthopedic training for professionals

In Uganda, 12.4% of the population lives with some form of disability, 50% of whom are under the age of 15 (2014 Uganda census). There is no certain data on the number of people with disabilities who live without one or more limbs, but polio, road accidents, bone infections, malaria, congenital diseases and malnutrition can be listed among the main causes [1].

Although the country is considered stable from a legislative point of view, the reality is very different: just think that in the local language “Luganda” there is no specific term to define a disabled person and that in 2015 the European Parliament condemned the country for murders and violence committed against people with disabilities. Furthermore, the Ugandan public health system does not have adequate prosthetic services both in terms of personnel and material resources such as equipment and prosthetic components. The provision of rehabilitation services is limited and almost absent in rural regions [2].

To support the Ugandan rehabilitation system and allow the most vulnerable people to return living an independent and dignified life, SwissABILITY organized an orthopedic training in innovative and low-cost technologies in the Luweero district, thanks to the collaboration of the local partner Nkolo Orthopedics Rehabilitation Services ( NORS). NORS is an excellent rehabilitation centre that provides services at subsidized prices to all people living with disabilities. It was founded by Nelson Mubiru, the current Technical Director and Vice-President of the Uganda Orthopedic Technology Association.

During the training, 10 amputee patients received a new below-the-knee prosthesis and 5 professionals were trained in new orthopedic technologies.

PROJECT SHEET