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The Nigerian Prosthetic, Orthotic and Orthopaedic Technology Society (NPOOTS) conference took place between the 5th and 9th November in Abuja
Chikwado explained that the initiative is to ameliorate the sufferings of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) using biomedical engineering tools to provide relief and improve their quality of life.
He added that the conference was an opportunity for them to network, update their knowledge, practice and skills inline with global trend and to perform their work efficiently.
“We are here to sharpen our skills, improve our knowledge, update ourselves with latest technologies, to appraise our skills and make sure that we are doing the right thing so that we can deliver our best to those that need our services.
“Between the last time we did our conference and now there has been a lot of technological innovation and advances.
“So we intend to position ourselves in a strategic position to acquire these latest developments so that we can take it back to our different places,” he said.
While emphasising on their focus to assist PWDs, he urged the government and other stakeholders to support them in improving their lives, especially for the less privileged ones in the society.
He said: “We are available, and we are telling government that we are ready to contribute our quota as Nigerians to impact positively in the lives of PWDs.
“But our impact might not be fully felt without a full support from government so that we can reach out to them, discuss ways of impacting on these persons.”
Speaking on Modern Techniques in prosthetic and orthotic practice, as keynote speaker, Dr Tochukwu Nze Ugorji, a lecturer at the Prosthetics and Orthotics Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, noted new technological innovative methods that replaces traditional ways of treating and rehabilitating PWDs.
“We have new ways of designing and fabricating prosthetic and orthotic devices that have almost replaced the traditional ways of doing it.
“So as prosthetic and orthotic practice evolve in Nigeria and globally, new technologies and ways of doing it better keep emerging on a daily basis.
“This conference will offer the participants opportunity to cross breed ideas because we have technical sessions, where people will present research works they have done in recent times in this field.”
Mr Aharanwa Francis-Obinna, National Secretary, NPOOTS, said: “we select people who are eager to walk but lack the financial will to get themselves rehabilitated and that is why we stepped in at zero cost.”
Sanusi Usman, a beneficiary from Katsina state, said his legs were amputated due to the injuries sustained during the bomb blast at Nyanya bridge in 2014.
“I was a victim of Nyanya bomb blast 2014. I m so happy and I appreciate the organisation for giving me the prosthetic limb as it will enable me move around and source for livelihood,” he said.
Similarly, another beneficiary, Christopher Iliya, expressed appreciation to the association, adding that the prosthetic limbs will ease his movement and make him less dependent on others.
“I had an accident in 2009, when I was small and I used a prosthetic before given to me by my Church, which I later outgrew it.
“And I really appreciate the opportunity of having another one, which will ease my movement,” he said.
