Recipients of the prosthetic limbs along with Health Ministry officials
At the conclusion of a four-day Prosthetic Capacity Building Workshop at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Health Ministry’s Disability and Rehabilitation Services distributed prosthetic limbs to 33 patients.
The workshop, a collaborative effort between the JE Simmons Orthotic and Prosthetic Workshop, Health Ministry, and ProsthetiKa Corporation, was aimed at equipping technical staff with the necessary knowledge and skills in lower-limb prosthesis manufacturing and rehabilitation.
Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Malcolm Watkins, affirmed the MoH’s commitment to providing equitable healthcare services nationwide as it strives to embrace technology.
One of the prosthetic limbs being fitted
“We want people across the country to access the same type of services that the Government offers in every single community. In the future, we will be working towards financing the rehab services, so that we can give you more prosthetic functionality, advanced technology, working with organisations like ProsthetiKa and others to transfer knowledge,” the PS explained.
Meanwhile, Founder of the ProsthetiKa Corporation, Jon Batzdorff, expressed gratitude for the training sessions, acknowledging the patience and trust shown by patients in receiving this much needed service.
Among those present were Senior Technician of the J E Simmons Orthotic and Prosthetic Workshop, Collin Charles; Director of Rehabilitation Services, Dr Ariane Mangar; and other officials.
When a limb is amputated or lost, a prosthetic device, or prosthesis, can play an important role in rehabilitation. For many people, an artificial limb can improve mobility and the ability to manage daily activities, as well as provide the means to stay independent. (G12)
