An Orthopedic Centre to fix amputated limbs for persons in the South-South zone of Nigeria has been inaugurated at the Central Hospital, Ughelli, Delta State.
The Orthopedic Centre was inaugurated on the platform of a Public-Private Partnership between Marierie Memorial Central Hospital, Ughelli, under the Delta State Hospital Management Board and IfeanHealth Orthopedics.
The inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday has brought hope to patients with limb challenges in the South-South zone.
Before now, amputation of limbs was seen in Nigeria as a death sentence by many including victims and their relatives.
This was a result of the lack of orthopaedic centres in Nigeria to acquire comprehensive rehabilitation, including professional care and fixing of prosthetics and orthotics.
The narrative has changed in the South-South with the inauguration of the IfeanHealth Orthopedics at Marierie Memorial Central Hospital, Ughelli, Delta State.
The new orthopaedic centre is an arrangement of a public-private partnership between the Marierie Memorial Central Hospital Ughelli through the Delta State Hospital Management Board.
Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of IfeanHealth Orthopedics, Mr Ejike Anih said the centre builds customized prosthetics and orthotics for persons with limb challenges at affordable price ranges.
Mr Anih said that the partnership with the Marierie Memorial Central Hospital Ughelli is the fourth in the country and ready to put smiles on the faces of persons with limb challenges in the South-South region.
The chairman of the Delta State Hospital Management Board, Dr Paul Owhe, said that the Delta State Government was pleased with the inauguration to ameliorate the plights of amputees.
The chairmen of Ughelli North and South Local Governments, Olorogun Jaro Egbo and Dr Lucky Avweromre promised to give support to the Centre.
The facilitator of the Centre, who is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Valentine Ezeachi, mentioned diabetes as one of the causes of amputation of limbs.
A patient who is under treatment with the IfeanHealth Orthopedics praised the Centre for its professionalism.
Other centres of the IfeanHealth Orthopedics are in Lagos, Enugu and Kano States.
