MOH, ProsthetiKa enhance prosthetic services with one-week training programme

The Ministry of Health’s Rehabilitation and Disability Services, in collaboration with the ProsthetiKa Corporation, successfully hosted a one-week practical training programme for prosthetists, technicians, and therapists at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in Georgetown.
This initiative is part of an ongoing partnership between the Ministry and Prosthetika, which has supported training efforts over the past five years to improve prosthetic services in Guyana.
The latest session focused on cutting-edge prosthetic technologies, enabling specialists to create lighter, better fitting, and more efficient prosthetic devices that enhance patient mobility and comfort.
In a Ministry of Health press release, the Ministry noted that a total of 16 individuals benefited from new prosthetic devices, including both upper and lower-limb prostheses.
A key highlight of the programme, the release added, was the successful development of a myoelectric arm, a highly functional prosthetic device that significantly improves movement. This state-of-the-art prosthesis was successfully fitted for a patient, Mr Ramchitath, marking a significant step forward in local prosthetic capabilities.

In a brief interview, Dr Ariana Mangar underscored the importance of training staff in the latest technology.
“Over the last five years, ProsthetiKa has helped us train our staff in the latest technologies for prosthesis development. This allows us to make prostheses lighter, better fitting, and more efficient—ensuring that patients receive the best possible fit when they get their prosthesis,” she said.
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Ayeni Olutunde, a father of two and a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) expressed his gratitude for the Government’s support in providing prosthetics.
“As you can see, I’m an amputee, and I came to get some adjustments done on my prosthesis. I feel really good knowing that there’s a way for people like me to regain mobility. This programme is a great initiative, there’s always room for improvement but in time, things will only get better,” the GDF officer said.
“The fact that someone can receive a prosthesis and be rehabilitated to live independently again is a huge step forward,” he added.
The training also fostered greater collaboration between prosthetic and orthotic personnel at the centre, further strengthening national capacity in rehabilitation services.
By equipping local professionals with the latest skills and knowledge, the Ministry of Health continues to advance its mission of providing high-quality prosthetic solutions to individuals with limb loss.