Project Description
The
project is comprised of two parts. The first is an assessment of the needs,
the resources, and the best way to provide appropriate sustainable assistance
to amputees in Pakistan. The second part will be to utilize the results and
recommendations from the assessment and provide direct assistance.
Objective of Project
PROSTHETIKA will provide critical assistance to the victims of the devastating
2005 earthquake in Pakistan. An assessment must first be made to determine the
best use of resources and how we help the most people in the best way with the
most long lasting benefits; to achieve maximum effectiveness with our assistance.
Background
The Pakistan earthquake of 2005 resulted in an estimated 53,000 deaths and 75,000
injuries. Over 3 million people were left homeless. Amputations occurred both
as a result of primary injuries and as well as frostbite and complications related
to the difficulty in getting prompt evacuation and treatment (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9700104/from/RL.5/).
Once the immediate relief efforts and “digging out” is completed, and the injured have been stabilized, the disabled must be attended to. Pakistan’s current health care systems are completely overwhelmed and outside assistance as absolutely necessary.
The Assessment Process
In order for this assistance to be meaningful, appropriate and sustainable,
and economically feasible, an assessment must be done first. The assessment
looks at the number of amputees requiring assistance, where they are located.
The PROSTHETIKA team looks at the current resources and what kind of aid is
being given. It looks at what materials are currently being used and what materials
and accessible and affordable. PROSTHETIKA then establishes cooperative relationships
and agreements with local rehabilitation centers to join efforts. They determine
when, how, where, by whom, and to whom services should be provided.