In many regions of Sierra Leone, access to qualified orthopaedic care is still severely limited. In particular, people with amputations or physical limitations are often faced with the challenge that suitable prostheses, orthoses or spare parts are not available or unaffordable for them.

The Bintumani D-SL initiative is involved in Makeni with the aim of sustainably improving orthopaedic care. The focus is on supporting local supply, working with local specialists and providing urgently needed materials and components. The aim is to help people with disabilities regain more independence, mobility and social participation.

A major milestone in this commitment was the equipping of the orthopaedic centre in Makeni with the necessary machinery and workshop equipment. Thanks to the initiative of Bintumani D-SL, the necessary machinery and equipment could be procured and transported to Sierra Leone. Only this equipment enables the centre to manufacture, adapt and repair prostheses and orthoses on site. This created the conditions for long-term independent orthopaedic care and strengthened the local infrastructure in the long term.

The economic situation of many patients makes it clear how great the need for support is. The cost of a simple lower leg or thigh prosthesis is – depending on the design – around 350 to 700 euros. For most of those affected, this amount is completely unattainable. Due to their physical limitations and limited employment opportunities, many do not have their own income. They are dependent on the support of their families or secure their livelihood by begging. They often have to cover their daily needs for food and the most important foods with the equivalent of only about 3 euros per day. Under these conditions, the financing of a prosthesis supply from one’s own efforts is practically impossible.

An important component of the project is the reuse of usable prosthesis components. Many components that are discarded in Europe after a new supply can continue to provide valuable services after careful testing and reconditioning in Sierra Leone. Knee joints, adapters, pipe systems, prosthetic feet or other functional components can make a decisive contribution to care and open up new perspectives for people. At the same time, the reuse of high-quality components contributes to the sustainable use of valuable resources.

In addition to material donations, the project is also dependent on financial support. Monetary donations enable the transport of the aids, the purchase of consumables, the maintenance of the workshop machines and the training and further education of local specialists. Every contribution contributes to the long-term expansion of orthopaedic care and to secure it in the long term.

Call for support

Bintumani D-SL invites orthopaedic companies, clinics, rehabilitation centres as well as manufacturers and suppliers to actively support this commitment.

In particular, the following are sought:

• • used, well-preserved prosthesis components and spare parts,

  • functional joints, adapters, pipe systems and prosthetic feet,

  • Tools and orthopaedic materials,

  • as well as financial donations to finance transport, logistics and project work.

A monetary donation can directly support the provision of a person with a prosthesis or the provision of the necessary materials. Likewise, discarded but functional prosthesis components, which are often no longer used in Germany, can enable a person in Makeni to return to a more independent life.

Every donation in kind or money helps to give people in Makeni access to appropriate orthopaedic care. Together, the orthopaedic community can make an important contribution to restoring mobility and sustainably improving quality of life.