By Elizabeth Neufeld | Vice President Of Strategy and GrowthC
In the last three months, ROMP has had some incredible progress in patient care in Zacapa, Guatemala, but the most exciting development has the been the first ever delivery of the 3D printed Victoria Hand. ROMP patient, Celos, received the device, which was printed in the Guatemalan ROMP 3D Print DevLap by locally trained ROMP staff. When we last wrote to you, ROMP had been working with the University of Victoria to test this hand on several patients.
This is a huge step forward for ROMP in testing a model of care that combines traditional care with the latest technology. By having a 3D printing lab integrated into a prosthetic clinic, locally trained practitioners are able to blend their clinical abilities with the power of additive manufacturing.
Like so many challenges in global health, the supply chain that supports the orthotic and prosthetic industry does not reach the majority of individuals that would benefit from those technologies.This is the grand promise of 3D printing- by circumventing the traditional supply chain, trained local individuals will be able to design and make all necessary components on-site. And this is excatly what happend with Celos and our amazing Guatemalan staff.
ROMP is an eleven year old nonprofit that manufactures and distributes custom prosthetic and orthotic devices to thousands of the western hemisphere’s most vulnerable individuals, who would otherwise not be able to access this critical health care. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the world’s amputees live in developing countries, and yet less than 3% have access to prosthetic care.
In 2007, ROMP built a world class Orthotics & Prosthetics facility in Guatemala, which is open full time and has served the needs of over 5000 patients. This has become a regional center of excellence for patients, students, and practitioners and is managed by highly trained local individuals.
We are pushing the envelope on what even we thought was possible with 3D printing and other technologies. It is moving forward each day at a clipped pace, giving us the opporptunity to serve more people, with more prosthetic devices, in a faster and more productive way.
We would not be able to do any of this without the support of donors like you. Your commited support means that we will be able to fit the 30 patients that are still waiting for devices this summer. The more financial support we garner, the more likely we are to solve the global supply chain issue in prosthteics, maybe even this year.
Have to run, as our next device is just finishing on the 3D printer! Look for more exciting news from ROMP in the coming months.
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