Managed to get back to the internet cafe again today, so thought I'd take the opportunity to explain a bit more about the centre that I'm in and more about the Jaipur limb….

Basically, disabled persons constitute an alarmingly high percentage of the disabled population in developing countries, especially in the Great Lakes area of Africa (which is where I am). This area includes Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Generally, whenever disability strikes a person here, they re-locate to rural villages since they can no longer sustain themselves in cities and towns. Here, they either depend upon support from enlarged families, lead a very different solo village life, or perhaps the more industrious ones will make themselves walking sticks, home made crutches or prostheses.. Naturally, this makes it difficult for these disabled persons to access and receive suitable rehabilitation services and help.

There is an estimate of 40,000 amputees in the Great Lakes area, with 400,000 individuals affected by polio. Currently, services provide cover for less than 20%, with the remaining 80% unable to receive treatment.

Located in the suburbs of the capital city of Uganda, Kampala, the Great Lakes Rehabilitation Centre (GLRC) has been established in order to help effectively train staff to manufacture basic low cost limbs that can be provided free of charge to some of these patients (where I am right now). The challenge that the centre faces is being able to improve accessibility to orthopaedic appliances, aids and assistive devices in a way that is both affordable and sustainable.


So what are these legs that the centre is providing?

The prostheses that are currently being provided are called “Jaipur limbs”, which were specifically developed in India in the 1970’s. Jaipur limbs were designed to be cheap, durable and affordable in order to allow patients to walk barefoot and over rough ground without the need for continual maintenance that a more western limb would require. These have allowed the amputees to return to work and given back freedom and the ability to care for themselves.

Damaged Jaipur foot

New foot made of tough rubber and wood - will last for a year