In Tanzania, many people with disabilities (PWDs) live in poverty. At the same time, health insurance companies do not pay for assistive devices like wheelchairs. Therefore, many people with disabilities will end up in bed at home, increasing their poverty level and the risk of developing secondary health complications such as pressure sores, contractures, and hypostatic pneumonia.
Some People With Disabilities especially Children have access to donated imported wheelchairs. These have many problems since no measurements and prescription is done as WHO recommends, and also, once broken, spare parts are not available in the country. Not only that, but also the imported wheelchairs are challenging to use, especially in rural areas where most roads are not paved.
We are raising funds to manufacture 20 wheelchairs for children and people with disabilities which are adapted to the user's need and environmental conditions. This will go together with the provision of education to parents with children with a disability on how to take care of their children as well as the proper way of using those wheelchairs. Spare parts and repair and maintenance will be possible in the user's environment at an affordable cost.
These wheelchairs are therapeutic in their own right since they help to correct/prevent postural deformities (prevent the disability from worsening) and prevent pressure ulcers. Another important aspect is that users' level of independence will increase and help them to have good access to health, education, and many other aspects of society. For a child with disabilities who are eligible to attend school, can play with other kids and go to school.
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