MIT’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics has entered right into a collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the capabilities and providers of that nation’s orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) sector. Tens of 1000’s of individuals in Sierra Leone are in want of orthotic braces and synthetic limbs, however entry to such specialised medical care on this African nation is proscribed.
The settlement, reached between MIT, the Center for Bionics, and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), gives an in depth memorandum of understanding and intentions that will start as a four-year program. The collaborators purpose to strengthen Sierra Leone’s O&P sector by six key goals: information assortment and clinic operations, training, provide chain, infrastructure, new applied sciences and cell supply of providers.
Project Objectives
- Data Collection and Clinic Operations: gather complete information on epidemiology, want, utilization, and entry for O&P providers throughout the nation
- Education: create an inclusive training and coaching program for the folks of Sierra Leone, to allow sustainable and unbiased operation of O&P providers
- Supply Chain: set up provide chains for prosthetic and orthotic elements, components, and supplies for fabrication of gadgets
- Infrastructure: put together infrastructure (e.g., bodily area, ample water, energy and web) to assist elevated manufacturing and providers
- New Technologies: develop and translate revolutionary applied sciences with potential to enhance O&P clinic operations and administration, affected person mobility, and the design or fabrication of gadgets
- Mobile Delivery: assist outreach providers and cell supply of look after sufferers in rural and difficult-to-reach areas
Working collectively, MIT’s bionics heart and Sierra Leone’s MoHS purpose to sustainably double the manufacturing and distribution of O&P providers at Sierra Leone’s National Rehabilitation Centre and Bo Clinics over the subsequent 4 years.
The workforce of MIT scientists who will likely be implementing this novel collaboration is led by Hugh Herr, MIT Professor of Media Arts and Sciences. Herr, himself a double amputee, serves as co-director of the Ok. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics, and heads the famend Biomechatronics analysis group on the MIT Media Lab.
“From educational services, to supply chain, to new technology, this important MOU with the government of Sierra Leone will enable the Center to develop a broad, integrative approach to the orthotic and prosthetic sector within Sierra Leone, strengthening services and restoring much needed care to its citizens,” notes Professor Herr.
Sierra Leone’s Honorable Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby additionally states: “As the Ministry of Health and Sanitation continues to galvanize efforts towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage through the life stages approach, this collaboration will foster access, innovation and capacity building in the Orthotic and Prosthetic division. The ministry is pleased to work with and learn from MIT over the next four years in building resilient health systems, especially for vulnerable groups.”
“Our team at MIT brings together expertise across disciplines from global health systems to engineering and design,” added Francesca Riccio-Ackerman, the graduate pupil lead for the MIT Sierra Leone mission. “This allows us to craft an innovative strategy with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Together we aim to improve available orthotic and prosthetic care for people with disabilities.”
The Ok. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology pioneers transformational bionic interventions throughout a broad vary of circumstances affecting the physique and thoughts. Based on basic scientific rules, the Center seeks to develop neural and mechanical interfaces for human-machine communications; combine these interfaces into novel bionic platforms; carry out scientific trials to speed up the deployment of bionic merchandise by the personal sector; and leverage novel and sturdy, however reasonably priced, supplies and manufacturing processes to make sure equitable entry to the newest bionic know-how by all impacted people, particularly these in creating nations.
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation is accountable for well being service supply throughout the nation, in addition to regulation of the well being sector to fulfill the well being wants of its citizenry.
For extra details about this mission, please go to: https://mitmedialab.info/prosforallproj2
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