Guyana Amputees Receive Free Prosthetic Limbs

Eleven transtibial amputees in Guyana now have prosthetic limbs, thanks to the efforts of a physician, a rehabilitation clinic, and the Barr Foundation. The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center in Georgetown, Guyana, fit the amputees, ages 10-45, with prosthetic limbs provided by the Barr Foundation in a pilot program. The generosity of our Hope Donor Club members, USMC, Fillauer, Silipos and Ohio Willow Wood made it all possible. USMC donated 12 complete endoskeleton below knee systems. Fillauer, Silipos and Ohio Willow Wood donated substantial supplies and materials.

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The mission consisted of 3 trips: first, evaluate the site and obtain a "wish list"; second, deliver the donated components and evaluate prospective recipients; and third, oversight and fitting of the amputees.

President Bharrai Jagedo and First Lady Uma Jagedo presented awards honoring the Barr Foundation and its Hope Donor Club members during a ceremony at the center June 30, 2000.

The need for health care is substantial in Guyana, where the per capita income is only $850 US per year and there is high unemployment. The government pays for amputation surgery but not for prosthetic rehabilitation. The main hospital in Georgetown averages about three amputations per week, mostly above knee.