Jaipur Foot to Be Manufactured in Angola

Jaipur Foot, a low-cost artificial limb, will be manufactured with Indian assistance in Angola, Africa, helping 170,000 people who have lost their limbs in the civil war that has ravaged the nation for more than 27 years, according to The Hindu news service. Angola is the only country in the world to have a separate ministry for landmine clearance.

Developed and manufactured in Jaipur, India, the Jaipur Foot costs about $28, much less than many other prosthetic limbs, while maintaining high quality. Users can work in the fields, run, pedal a bicycle, squat on the floor, or even climb a tree.

"India has offered to set up a Jaipur Foot unit in Luanda (the largest city in Angola), and the proposal will be taken forward," Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said.

The center will be financed by the Indian government. Under the project, coordinators, physiotherapists, and qualified prosthetic, and orthotic technicians will be sent to Angola for a period of two years. The unit is expected to provide about 400 artificial limbs per month. Officials plan to hand over the center to Angolan authorities after two years.