Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) hosted a week-long training from September 23-27, 2024, aimed at equipping 36 professionals in the rehabilitative health sector with essential skills in appropriate wheelchair service provision.
The attendees, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthopedic technologists, and biomedical engineers from 12 counties—Marsabit, Kisumu, Siaya, Machakos, Kitui, Nyamira, Tharaka-Nithi, Vihiga, Kisii, Busia, Murang’a, Bungoma, and Kakamega—participated in the WHO Basic Wheelchair Training on Appropriate Wheelchair Service Provision.
The training focused on equipping participants with the skills to assess, prescribe, and provide suitable wheelchairs to individuals with physical disabilities.
In this context, the term “basic” refers to care for individuals with physical disabilities who can sit upright without the need for additional postural support, unlike those with conditions such as cerebral palsy, who require more specialized support.
speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Mwangi Matheri, Chairman of the Rehabilitative Sciences Department at JKUAT, emphasized the need to train rehabilitative health professionals in this area, noting that it was an expensive oversight previously excluded from the curriculum for rehabilitative health professionals.
To bridge this gap, Dr. Matheri revealed that JKUAT has incorporated the WHO course into its undergraduate programs to ensure future graduates are well-prepared.
Dr. Reuben Thuo Principal College of Health Sciences JKUAT agreed with Dr. Matheri’s sentiments, emphasizing JKUAT’s commitment to disability matters. He announed plans to introduce Bachelor’s Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics, with the first cohort of students expected to enroll in 2025.
Dr. Rebecca Kiptui, Director of Curative and Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health, commended the initiative as a significant step toward making health services more accessible, and acceptable to the wider population.
Dr. Kiptui emphasized the importance of the training in enhancing the quality of wheelchair service provision. Dr. Kiptui encouraged the trainees to become advocates for wheelchair services and to share their knowledge with colleagues in their respective counties.
“Rehabilitative services are not limited to hospitals but extend to home-based care, especially for the elderly, hence the need to train more professionals in this field,” said Dr. Kiptui
On his part, Mr. Alex Kisyanga, Chief Physiotherapist at the Ministry of Health, outlined the government’s plan to supply 1,000 wheelchairs across the country, with the trainees playing a crucial role in the roll out exercise. He expressed hope that they would become Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) to support similar training initiatives in the future.
This training, which included persons with disabilities to facilitate demonstrations, was highly appreciated by the participants.
Sammy Masolo, a Senior Medical Engineering Technologist at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to train at JKUAT, which houses a Wheelchair Service and Learning Centre and is a key partner in the Person-Centred Wheelchair Project.
Mr Masolo expressed his appreciation to the program noting that all trainees at JKUAT have gained exposure to wheelchairs specifically designed to handle rough terrain.
“I am extremely grateful for this training, as I had the chance to experience a robust wheelchair design that is a significant improvement over what is currently available. As a biomedical engineer, I’m accustomed to installing medical equipment, but this training has provided me with the skills for wheelchair assembly, along with both preventive and corrective maintenance,” said Masolo.
Dr. Wallace Karuguti from the Rehabilitative Sciences Department explained that the training included two customized components: mental health and disability etiquette and inclusion, designed to ensure that trainees can interact with and care for persons with disabilities with greater sensitivity and respect.
The training was conducted in collaboration with the Motivation Charitable Trust, Ministry of Health (MoH), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Walkabout Foundation, and the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK).
