The Maimana centre opened in the first half 2004. It is divided into a workshop and treatment centre, serves people who have physical disabilities. Some of the patients who come for help here have lost their limbs from mine accidents or war injuries. Others are paralyzed from illnesses such as polio, or birth difficulties such as cerebral palsy and club foot. Still others have joint stiffness from everyday accidents or rheumatoid arthritis. These patients need the help of specialists who can provide the support they need, which ordinary medicine cannot help.
The centre provides physical therapy for those patients who need it. It also makes braces to help support weak legs, arms, backs and necks, as well as repairs artificial legs. We distribute wheelchairs and walking aids which are either manufactured locally or made in the Red Cross workshop in Kabul. In its first 6 months of activity, the centre has helped over 1,000 patients.
Along with providing these services, the centre is training local people in the special skills of orthopedic technology and physical therapy. Currently three orthopedic technicians and one physical therapy technician are studying in the centre, in preparation for upgrading training courses where they will receive official recognition in their profession by the government. |
