Description

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, people in need of assistive devices globally will be beyond two billion by 2050 and only one in 10 could get access to the assistive product. Eighty percent of people living with some form of disability worldwide live in low-resource countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, progress in training and provision of prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) services has been observed. However, the perceptions of the quality of the training program from the students in East Africa specifically in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda have not been explored. The profession of P&O in sub-Saharan Africa faces many challenges in strengthening its educational ethos as well as meeting the huge demands on quality training.

While there is a huge demand for P&O services in sub-Saharan Africa, this symposium will highlight the students’ perceptions of the current training programs. We will discuss the potential factors influencing the program as the overall teaching and learning curriculum.

The speakers with their professional experiences in the sub-Saharan African region will discuss the current status of P&O education in Africa in general. Specifically, presenters will highlight the students’ perceptions of prosthetics and orthotics education in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. Further action plans to address the current challenges the field is facing will be recommended.

Statement of the objective / learning objectives

Participants will be aware of the current status/challenges and development of P&O education in East Africa and practical action plans for stakeholders will be discussed.

Event Location

Tlaquepaque, Second floor