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Prosthetics In Nigeria: The Amputee Story pt 3

What solutions can Nigeria offer? Where do you need to go?

There are various solutions available to amputees in Nigeria. These range from locally made Prosthetics and orthotic devices to foreign ones. But first what are Prosthetic and Orthotic devices.

Mmomelu Solomon of solotag78

“Prosthetics can be defined as the science of fabricating various Orthopadeic devices or appliances to substitute or replace a missing body part. It can be an upper or lower body extremity. Example includes below the knee prosthetics and above the knee Prosthesis for the lower body extremity and below the elbow and above the elbow Prosthesis for the Upper body extremity to mention a few.”

These device can render a cosmetic effect replacement to a functional effect replacement to devices that can perform better that the actual limb.

Studies show that the technology of the locally made prosthetics provide more of a cosmetic effect, this is due to the technologies available to our locally prosthetic technicians. Which over the years has remain quite backwards due to the lack of equipment and training provide by some school of orthopaedic technology. This is further lauded

by O. Oluwole in his blog “Level of Prosthetics and Orthotics in Nigeria”.

In the past, Nigeria as a whole is a nation of roughly 170 million people. When it comes to handling and treating amputees and people with disabilities there are only 3 places nationally equipped to handle cases. The National Orthopaedic Hospitals Igbobi in Lagos, The National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, and National Orthopedic hospital Dala Kano.

Three hospitals to 170 million Nigerians.

The Punch Newspaper said it adequately in their headline: 10 Prosthetic professionals for 160 million Nigerians.
The trend though is changing with more and more technologies being introduced from Europe and the US and more and more prosthetic technicians receive trainings outside the country. Coupled with the opening of various orthopaedic centre across the nation that handle simple and specialised cases from basic cosmetic prosthetics to electrical and nerve controlled prosthetics to bionic prosthetics.

The growing list below states a few

Orthofit Orthopaedics, Nigeria Enugu

Ability prosthetics and Orthotics Nigeria

Roseline Orthopedic Care Centre (ROCC)

Cedarcrest Hospitals

Further still there are organisations that offer aid to amputees and people living with disabilities, where one can go for request for sponsorship or aid. They may offer minimal aid to individuals or totally handle treatment, always this depends on their criteria for selecting individuals eligible for aid.

A good place to start with this is Nigerian Galleria it offer a list of NGO’s one can write to Appling for aid. Please note that when contacting them, to state your case and book for an appointment to see them.

Also check online forums like amputee coalition.

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