Maldives' first prosthetic lab opens in Hulhumalé Hospital

Maldives' first prosthetics laboratory was opened in Hulhumalé Hospital on Wednesday, August 9.

The prosthetic lab, developed under Indian aid, was inaugurated by Vice President Faisal Naseem.

Hulhumalé Hospital said that the recently unveiled prosthetic and orthotic lab in the Maldives will extend crucial assistance to a significant number of individuals. The hospital highlighted the considerable number of children, including 480 under the age of 18, who utilize the services of the hospital's Child Development Center and require artificial limbs and support for various disabilities.

Prosthetics are artificial functional replacements for limbs, such as arms or legs, designed for individuals with congenital disabilities or those who have lost limbs due to accidents. Orthotics are devices intended to aid individuals with physical disabilities, primarily focusing on the lower limbs.

Previously, children with these conditions in the Maldives underwent a process where measurements for the required prosthetics or orthotics were taken locally and sent abroad for fabrication. However, even when these items were obtained through the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), the process of customization and transportation back to the country proved to be time-consuming. Additionally, adjustments were often necessary due to the children's growth, as they may have outgrown the initial measurements by the time the prosthetics or orthotics were received.

The hospital said that with the implementation of this service within the Maldives, the existing expenses will be substantially reduced threefold.

In collaboration with the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, Hulhumalé Hospital trained two of its employees to launch this service in the Maldives. To enhance the capabilities of the prosthetics lab, arrangements have also been made with Cambodia to send two individuals abroad for a specialized training program dedicated to this field.