Prosthesis Program

Country: Sierra Leone
Advance #982580

Project Information

Providing artificial limbs, rehabilitation aids and appliances for amputees

Describe the need affecting community

The civil conflict in Sierra has left thousands of people who had their limbs chopped off. The project to fit a simple, lower limb prosthesis devised in India called “Jaipur foot began in 2000. It was suspended for two years when the conflict escalated in Sierra Leone; the project was restarted in 2003 in Bo. The UMC Limb Prosthesis Center produces about 10-12 lower limb prostheses every month that enable amputees to walk again. The program continues to provide needed support, as amputees are occurring through the loss of limbs from accidents and limited access to medical care.

How will this Advance project help to address the need?

1. To provide approximately 15-20 lower limb prostheses every month to amputees. 2. To train persons to look after their prostheses. 3. To provide wheelchairs (PETs) to those who need them, especially the women and children. 4. To develop relationships with additional hospitals and clinics to expand the program to double the number of persons receiving artificial limbs.

Describe the primary goal of the project

1. To provide approximately 15-20 lower limb prostheses every month to amputees. 2. To train persons to look after their prostheses. 3. To provide wheelchairs (PETs) to those who need them, especially the women and children. 4. To develop relationships with additional hospitals and clinics to expand the program to double the number of persons receiving artificial limbs.

Contact Information

Global Ministries Contact
Catherine Norman
norman.catherine8@googlemail.com
http://www.umcor.org/
Africa Sierra Leone