Health Minister Touts Prosthetic Outreach as 20 Patients Regain Mobility

The Ministry of Health says its latest prosthetic outreach programme has helped restore mobility and independence to amputees while strengthening local rehabilitation capacity.

In a release on Sunday, the Ministry said an international prosthetics and rehabilitation team worked alongside local clinicians at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre last week to assess, fit and train 20 patients in the use of prosthetic limbs. The initiative also focused on building technical skills among local professionals.

The programme was conducted in collaboration with ProsthetiKa, a United States-based organisation that provides support for persons with disabilities in developing countries. The visiting team was led by certified orthotist/prosthetist and ProsthetiKa founder Jon Batzdorff and included certified orthotist/prosthetists John Morales and Meghan Wright, as well as clinical physiotherapist Laura Burges, who specialises in vascular and amputee rehabilitation.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said the initiative goes beyond clinical care by enabling patients to resume daily activities and participate fully in society. “These services transform lives. Our goal is not only to provide prostheses but also to ensure patients regain confidence, independence, and the ability to work and care for their families,” he said.

Dr Anthony noted that the collaboration has improved access to services that many patients would otherwise be unable to afford. “Many patients cannot afford prosthetic services, yet these devices transform lives. Through partnerships like this, we are improving accessibility while building our own technical expertise to sustainably serve our population,” the Minister stated.

He also highlighted the need for prevention, explaining that many amputations result from diabetes complications. The Ministry is therefore strengthening multidisciplinary care to reduce future limb loss while expanding rehabilitation services for those already affected.

Batzdorff praised the government’s policy direction and underscored the team effort required to deliver the programme. “Providing access to prosthetics is a powerful policy because it restores independence and dignity to people’s lives,” he said, adding, “We assessed and fitted 20 patients. Each prosthesis requires assessment, casting, plastic moulding, assembly, and rehabilitation training; it takes a full team to make it happen.”

He commended local healthcare workers and trainees who participated throughout the process. “This work would not have been possible without the local team, from mixing plaster to casting and fitting. We didn’t just ask people to watch; we asked them to try,” he said. Batzdorff added that sustainability was central to the programme’s design. “We are not here to create dependence. We want the skills to stay here so repairs and future prostheses can be done locally, long after we leave.”

Director of Rehabilitation and Disability Services Dr Ariane Mangar said the initiative strengthened national capacity through the training of six new prosthetic technicians while restoring mobility to 20 patients. She noted that additional assistance is anticipated through collaboration with Jaipur Foot, which is expected to support the fitting of approximately 100 more individuals in the coming months. “Together, these efforts are not only restoring limbs, but also restoring dignity, productivity, and quality of life for many Guyanese,” she said.

Beneficiaries also shared personal testimonies. Desma Pitt, 59, who lost her limb due to diabetes complications, described the experience as life-changing. “I dreamt about walking again. Now I can. I’m so thankful to the team, my children, and everyone who encouraged me. This is another phase of life, and I’m ready for it,” she said, adding that she hopes “to walk around my yard and take care of my plants again.”

Another recipient, Ivor Fordyce, whose amputation followed an untreated injury, said the prosthetic limb has renewed his sense of independence. “I don’t like to sit down. Even before this, I tried helping at home. Now I feel better and encouraged. This will help me become independent again and provide for my family,” he said, expressing gratitude and adding, “God bless the whole institution for putting us back on track.”

The Ministry said the outreach programme combined patient rehabilitation with hands-on training for therapists and students, ensuring both immediate support and long-term service delivery. It reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships aimed at expanding access to prosthetic services and strengthening rehabilitation care so more Guyanese can regain mobility and independence.