Event Report - AVSI Foundation unveils the SwissLeg technology in Uganda

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AVSI Foundation unveils the SwissLeg technology in Uganda

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We work with hospitals and orthopedic workshops in collaboration with technicians whom we train to master the technology so that they can transfer knowledge for the benefit of amputees - Filipo Nishino, President, SwissLimbs Association in Lugano.

Its 40% lighter, 30% cheaper, five times quicker to make. With the SwissLeg technology an orthopaedic technologist is able to make and fit two artificial limbs a day.

SwissLimb and SwissLeg visited Uganda to transfer a new orthopaedic technology. Their visit was organized and hosted by AVSI Foundation. In September 2016, the SwissLeg and SwissLimb teams visited the Gulu Regional Orthopaedic Workshop (GROW) in Gulu District and trained six technicians to become Certified Prosthetic Orthotists in the new technology influences functionality of the prosthesis and the final quality of the fitting. The existing technology used to produce and fit artificial limbs for persons who have lost a leg due to war or accidents, requires annual maintenance, and replacement every 3 years. Replacements take approximately 5 days to process. With the new SwissLeg technology production and fitting of the limb can be done the same day. The new limb is lighter, which supports faster movement and better mobility, and is more robust than the limbs produced using the traditional technology and materials. The materials which are used to produce the limb are cheaper than those using the original technology.


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