Nkiru Odinkemelu
Are you an amputee or genetically limbless who is dependent on caregivers and in need of prosthetic limbs? It is time for you to heave a sigh of relief, as Rotary Club of Lagos Island, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Singapore and IshK Tolaram Foundation, is giving out artificial limbs this season.
The free artificial limbs project, according to the President, Rotary Club of Lagos Island, District 9110, Mr. Sanjeev Tandon, is a global grant funded project, targeted at improving the lives of 1, 700 Nigerians this year.
Tandon, who spoke at the inauguration ceremony of the first mega global grant project, said it was part of his club’s way of putting smile on the faces of limbless Nigerians and also helping them regain their self esteem.
Quoting reports, he said there are over 25 million Nigerians who suffer from one physical deformity or the other, with over 3.5million of them having challenges of moving around.
Bearing this in mind, Tandon said the club hopes to move from 1, 700 free limbs for 2017 to a bigger number next year, adding that the project will continue even if the grants cease to come.
Dr. Shahul Hameed, chairman, grants committee, Rotary Club of Singapore, District 3310, said they decided to support the project as a way of helping disabled Nigerians take charge of their lives.
“Imagine the ability of beneficiary to be independent, getting things done themselves and their caregivers getting their lives back? We want the beneficiaries to get jobs and be economic independent and have a sense of pride and self esteem,” he said.
Mr. Mohandas Vaswani, chairman, Tolaram Group, whose centre, IshK Limb Center, has been in the business of manufacturing prosthetic limbs for Nigerians since 2009, said the centre had seen an increase in amputees due to car, motorcycle accidents and diabetes He said the foundation was set up specifically to improve the lifestyle of these populations.
On criteria for benefiting from the free prosthetic limbs, Tandon said: “There are no criteria. Anyone in need of a prosthetic limb for either leg or hand should just walk into our centre at 38, Eric Moore Street, Surulere Lagos, where the limbs are manufactured according to the person’s size and that same day, you’re going home with your limbs after you are given a training.”
Confirming this, Mr. Adeniran Muibi, one of the beneficiaries of the free limbs, said he got his same day.
“I used to depend on my children for everything before, but ever since I received this artificial limb, my life has changed. I can now move around and do things on my own,” he said.