Support 100 children access assistive devices

Introduction:

According to the WHO and UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology (2022), there still exists considerable inequity in access to assistive technology; as few as 3% of people in some low-income countries were reported to have access to the assistive products they need, in comparison to 90% in some high-income countries. Katalemwa Cheshire Home (KCH) has over the years contributed to the reduction of this inequality in Uganda through the production of customized assistive devices for children, youth, and adults with disabilities.

KCH orthopedic workshop fabricates a range of disability assistive devices like prostheses, orthoses, wheelchairs, crutches, SFABs, orthopedic shoes, standing frames, walkers, Afos, Kafo, corsets, erbs palsy splints, cerebral palsy chairs, orthopedic mats, artificial limbs, cervical collars, toilet seats, air rings and many others using locally available resources and the technologies. The importance of these assistive devices can't be overemphasized; the provision of an appropriate wheelchairfor example facilitates mobility, improving individuals’ access to education and employment while reducing healthcare costs due to a reduction in secondary complications such as pressure sores and contractures.

The motivation behind the Fabrication of Aluminum Wheel Chairs (MAC2 Wheelchairs)

KCH is a development organization that continuously seeks and embraces new approaches in line with improving assistive devices to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities. In 2022 July, KCH with support from the Rotary Club of Muyenga, Rotary Club of Burlington, and Rotary International sent two technologists to MC Master University Canada for 3 months to acquire skills in the production of Aluminum wheelchairs (MARK 2 Wheelchairs). The two technologists were trained to operate the CNC router, fabrication components, and assemble the Mark 2 wheelchair and exposed to different new technologies in the production of wheelchairs

The mark2 wheelchair is a wheelchair developed in Canada by Rotarian Engineer Peter French. This wheelchair is made out of wood and aluminum, has a few parts to assemble, does not require welding, and more so its parts are precisely milled and drilled by a computerized numerical control (CNC) router which makes it easy to assemble and replace any part for repair.

To KCH this was an opportunity to start massive production of wheelchairs to meet the increasing and changing needs of people with disabilities and also to provide solutions to the challenges of repairs in the communities.

Fabrication of the Mark 2 Wheelchairs

At the end of 2022, KCH acquired a computerized Numerical Control (CNC) router and the staff that acquired the training started the production of test/ sample mark 2 wheelchairs in January 2023; this process included producing test samples for the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UNBS) approval. From November of 2023, KCH started producing perfect Mark 2 wheelchairs with different modifications to meet the unique needs of both children and adults with disabilities. From November and until February this year, 115 Aluminium - Mark 2 wheelchairs have been produced in addition to the traditional steel wheelchairs that KCH has been fabricating.

Advantages of Mark 2 wheelchairs to Traditional steel and tube wheelchairs

• Mark 2 wheelchairs are made from Aluminium and wood making and have fewer components to assemble which makes them lighter in weight compared to steel and tube wheelchairs.
• Marke 2 wheelchairs do not require welding, their components are precisely milled and drilled by a CNC router which enables the mass production of wheelchairs
•  Since similar components are produced and do not require welding it makes it easy to transport the wheelchairs to the community or replace any component that needs repair in the community.
• These wheelchairs are more beautiful than the traditional steel and tube wheelchairs which also improves the dignity of the user

Cascading the training of Mark 2 wheelchair production to other staff

The two staff that acquired the skills from McMaster University have started cascading the training to other workshop staff in the operation of CNC Router and fabrication of Mark 2 wheelchairs; 6 staff are currently undergoing training. With more staff acquiring the skills, we expect an increase in the production of wheelchairs in the second quarter of this year. 

Conclusion

KCH orthopedic workshop has made tremendous strides in bridging inequality to access of assistive devices and thus increasing participation of persons with disabilities in social and economic spheres of life. Although much has been achieved a lot still needs to be done. This is however made difficult by the high cost of production of these assistive devices coupled with poverty among families of persons with disabilities. With support from friends and partners, the costs of these assistive devices can be made lower or free for children who come from very vulnerable families.