World Health Organization estimates that, only 1 in 10 people in need has access to assistive products, including prostheses and orthoses because of their high cost and lack of awareness, unavailability, inadequate trained personnel, policy and financing .
According to Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census, population of persons with Disabilities has increased and now constitutes eight percent of population which represents 2,098,138 individuals some of whom amputated and need prothesis and orthotics.
Brother Tarcisius Prosthetics and Orthotics Training College(BTPOTC) established in 2013 in Nsawam -Adoagyiri in Eastern Region of Ghana in West Africa is first prosthetics and orthotics training institution in the country with ultimate aim to address this huge gab in provision of artificial legs ,hands,braces and splints services.
The college affiliated to KNUST and a member of Allied Health Council trains and equip students with skills and knowledge in prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) to fill the gap in the Ghanaian health care system with direct clinical services for people in need of P&O devices.
The three year diploma awarding college ,an offshoot of P&O clinic (alias OTC) is however facing lots of challenges including inadequate tools and machineries for practicals ,as well as limited infrastructure.
Principal of the collage Henry Larbi called on corporate institutions in the country to support the college to be able to provide these critical clinical services to the country.
Nana Kwaku Agyei ,Head of P&O Department of the College said the Academic activities are more practical based however tools and machineries for practicals are imported making it difficult for the college to get them.
Prostheses (artificial legs and hands) and orthoses (braces and splints) enable people with physical impairments or functional limitations to live healthy, productive, independent, dignified lives and facilitate participation in education and labour market.
President of the Students Representative Council,SRC, in Brother Tarcisius Prosthetics and Orthotics Training College ,Siaw Edward Ampadu, appealed to government and corporate bodies to come to the aide of the college to expand infrastructure to increase enrollment from current 50 students population.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
