The Sudanese government has unveiled an urgent plan to rescue and revive its prosthetic limb services, which have been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict. The plan, announced at a meeting in Khartoum, aims to restore services at centers across the country, with a focus on providing support to those in need. The meeting, organized by the General Authority for Prosthetic Devices, brought together stakeholders to discuss the crisis and develop a strategy to address it.
The plan involves a comprehensive assessment of all centers within 30 days, followed by the emergency operation of centers that can be made functional within 90 days. A binding implementation matrix is to be issued within 14 days, with clear goals and timelines. The plan is designed to ensure that individuals in need can access services in their own state, without having to travel long distances. The initiative is driven by the need to restore dignity and independence to those affected.
The conflict has had a devastating impact on Sudan's prosthetic limb services, with many centers destroyed or forced to close. The country's Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Dr. Moataz Ahmed Saleh, acknowledged the scale of the crisis, stating that the war has imposed a harsh test on the physical rehabilitation system. He emphasized that the issue of prosthetic limbs is not just about devices, but about people, including children, women, and individuals fighting to regain their independence.
The General Authority for Prosthetic Devices has provided a stark assessment of the situation, revealing that the organization is currently operating without electricity and has suffered significant losses in terms of staff and equipment. The authority's Director-General, Yousuf Musa Darfur, disclosed that the organization has only one specialist in physical therapy and 12 technicians left, down from 44. He also revealed that there are qualified personnel with diplomas in physical therapy who have not been appointed due to bureaucratic delays.
The crisis has highlighted the need for partnership and support to revive the prosthetic limb services. Darfur emphasized that rehabilitation has become impossible with government efforts alone and that partnership is no longer an option but a condition for survival. The International Committee of the Red Cross has become the main and almost sole supporter of the sector. The authority is seeking to establish a national system for managing raw materials and spare parts to prevent service disruptions.
The meeting concluded with a set of practical decisions, including a unified assessment of all centers, emergency operations, and the development of a national registry of cases. The plan also involves the establishment of a national system for managing raw materials and spare parts, as well as the localization of advanced technology for complex cases. The government has pledged to provide financial support, with the aim of ensuring that no one is denied services due to inability to pay.
The initiative has been welcomed as a critical step towards restoring prosthetic limb services in Sudan. The Minister emphasized that the goal is not just to provide services but to restore hope and dignity to those affected. He stressed that the implementation plan will be closely monitored, with clear accountability and timelines. The success of the plan will depend on effective coordination and support from all stakeholders.
Key points
- The Sudanese government has launched an urgent plan to revive its prosthetic limb services, which have been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict.
- The plan involves a comprehensive assessment of all centers, emergency operations, and the development of a national registry of cases.
- The initiative aims to restore dignity and independence to those affected, with a focus on providing support to those in need.
