Vocational Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics

Context:

Due to the presence of militancy in Pakistan, especially in Peshawar, many people have lost their limbs, which resulted in the loss of their livelihood and deterioration of their economic well-being. To address this situation and to rehabilitate the population of people with disabilities to become active and productive members of the society, the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotic Sciences PIPOS has established a Rehabilitation Services Programme through 11 satellite centres in Peshawar. In addition, PIPOS operates two fully equipped Mobile Rehab Units to reach the patients in the far-flung areas and create awareness, provide castings, repairs, fittings and follow up on the needs of the people with disabilities. PIPOS has been committed to quality patient services for the entire treatment process regarding prosthetics and orthotics as per international standards recognised by the WHO and ISPO. To further the objectives of PIPOS, it has proposed a project to impart skills to marginalised groups in KP so as to empower them to earn their livelihood by making prosthetics and orthotics while responding to a huge demand in this region. This project is supported by the TVET Reform Support Programme as part of the Fund for Innovative Training (FIT) component. The TVET Reform Support Programme is co-financed by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Federal Republic of Germany and administered by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Objective:

The objective of the project is to enable people with disabilities to earn a living by training them to make prosthetics and orthotics and at the same time respond to a huge demand for such rehabilitation services in the region.

Methodology:-

80 beneficiaries will be trained over a period of 36 months. The trainees will be identified through a baseline study. The target group includes marginalised groups such as people with physical disabilities in FATA and KPK. The beneficiaries of the proposal will attend a diploma level course in Lower Limb Orthotics (DLLO) and Lower Limb Prosthetics (DLLP). The course includes 6 months of internship that will provide them with hands-on experience to make them proficient in making artificial limbs. As there is an identified demand for the training, the trainees can either become self-employed or find employment in the HQ hospitals at the completion of their training.

Expected Outcomes:

The project will facilitate social inclusion of people with disabilities/ handicaps through more readily available artificial limbs, thus offering an opportunity for people with physical impairments to lead productive lives. With these skills, they can become self-employed or can be employed in the District and Agency Head Quarter hospitals, which need trained people for providing rehab services.

Contact Details: Aziz Ahmed
azizamgee@yahoo.com
www.pipos.org.pk