By the Knowledge on IRC Docket, We Will Be Able to Meet More Demands of Participants in Near Future

• Course Title: Prosthetic and Orthotic Technique, 2007 Group training
• Implementing Partner: National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (NRCD)
• Organizer: Tokyo International Center (JICA TOKYO)

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Making a device in the training

In Colombia, more than 6% of the population (44 millions) is physically disabled. This figure does not include the total numbers of how many disabled people are using prosthesis and orthoses. Because there is no proper system to collect statistical data, therefore we do not know the current situation such as coverage of rehabilitation services in Colombia. Besides the chronic diseases like diabetes, terrorism and guerrilla which spread over the country caused in many injuries and disabilities in my country.

Over the years, the government has developed a social service system to cover the requirements of the disabled people. However, it is quite unfortunate that the law/ regulations are so ambiguous about provision of orthopedic elements, and the overall system is fragmented and insufficient to cover the complete rehabilitation services.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of service provider like us, the field of prosthetics and orthetics is quite minor. Thus, there are no professionals in these fields at University level in Colombia. Moreover, there is not adequate education system, regulations and career opportunities in Colombia, which results in the difficulty for Prosthetics and Orthotics technicians to obtain new techniques. Thus, my main aim to participate JICA training program was to learn more about the techniques on Prosthetics and Orthotics as well as the approach/ method to discriminate the knowledge to others. Not only the techniques, but also the comprehensive rule/ regulation/ schedule/ protocol are necessary in order to percolate knowledge efficiently and effectively.

Amongst many techniques I learnt through JICA training, IRC (Ischial Ramal Containment) socket, which is not so new technique but hardly common in Colombia, was really helpful to me. By deepening the knowledge on IRC socket, we will be able to meet more demands of patients in near future. Besides, this training helped me to qualify my present knowledge as well. As a result, I am very clear on the various techniques and concepts now, which will surely help in my work after returning to my country. First of all, I would like to organize a training course on IRC socket that is a prime necessary in Colombia. Also, I will try my best to expand a social recognition on prosthetics and orthetics in Colombia.