Making a device in the training
As a prosthetic device maker, I have been working with Philippine Orthopedic Center under the government hospital for 20 years since 1987. The long service has broadened my career in a wide range of prosthetics and orthotics knowledge and techniques. Such applicable experiences are invaluable in this field so as to adopt and adapt new ideas or technologies to further improvement in the devices responding to the needs of patients
The JICA Training Course on Prosthetics and Orthotics Technique further enriched my expertise by providing new method, material, design and technique that is more-than-expected. Especially the new device for me, "IRC (Ischial Ramal Containment) socket" was indeed an eye-opening experience, which allowed us to fabricate a model stump in its practical training.
The socket provides more comfortable and relaxed fitting to patients as it gives less pressure and more flexibility around the applied part. Although it may be difficult to obtain the perfect materials or equipment to fabricate it on our side, I will be able to introduce some technically feasible aspects into practice by applying the practical experience which I did in the training in Japan.
Throughout the 3-month of training program, I learned not only the techniques but also the values potentially shared in Japanese people: how thoughtfully they care about the patients to lead more comfortable and universal life in community. It gave me the high motivation and instilled confidence to better serve for the people in my country the Philippines.