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General information

 

Courses

  ISPO P&O Dictionary

January 2010: Tatcot Basic Wheelchair and Seating Clinical Training 25th-29th

Introduction:

Basic wheelchair and seating clinical skills play a great role in wheelchair service provision. In most cases there is a big gap in the existing rehabilitation service provision to people in need of wheelchairs and seating devices in less resourced countries.

Most of the wheelchairs and seating devices available in developing countries are distributed without following medical advice and ethics and are not appropriate for the users often leading to secondary complications.

Because of this, TATCOT in collaboration with Motivation Charitable Trust, has developed a curriculum to meet this need The training is divided into three major levels:

Group Photo
Group Photo Participants and Trainers

Client Client Client
Front View Client  position
 Side View client position Side View Client position

January 2010: 23rd TATCOT Advisory Board Meeting 14th January 2010

The 23rd TATCOT Advisory Board meeting was held on 14th January 2010 as scheduled. The board meeting was attended by various members from the following Institutions:

Among other issues discussed the school was commended for having achieved most of her objectives for the past year which included among others:

The board approved the implementation of the proposed activities for the coming year in the following areas:

Nevertheless the school was challenged to embark on the following issues:

January 2010: Worskop on MOODLE and eLearning at TATCOT 5th - 8th January 2010

The TATCOT eLearning team of H.G.Shangali, L.B. Mtalo, Violet Thadei and W. Raab attended a four days workshop presented by Arndt Bubenzer and his wife, Andrea, from Common Sense, Vienna, Austria.

The very comprehensive programme provided information to the team about the possible use of a MOODLE server for TATCOT’s intranet and about new tools that could be used for the creation of online eLearning modules.

The installation and use of a server is a project which TATCOT has been considering for a long time. The installation of a server is essential to create an educational materials resource for use by the teachers as well as a learning tool for students who would have access to it through the computing room in the Resource Centre. The MOODLE server would open up online learning to all the students at TATCOT as well as providing the possibility on online tests and examinations. This development would facilitate online interactive training methods which are new to the field of prosthetics and orthotics in developing countries.

Apart from the MOODLE server training the eLearning team was able to develop further modules and expand the online course package offered by TATCOT to include:

Candidates who complete all four modules will be entitled to hold a Diploma in Orthopaedic Technology. Application is being made to the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) for endorsement and recognition of these modules.

The eLearning team greatly appreciates the competent way lead Arndt and Andrea Bubenzer led the workshop and would like to thank them for their very valuable contribution.

TATCOT would also like to thank InWEnt/German Development Cooperation, which financed the workshop and enabled the team to reinforce its knowledge.

Moodle TrainingMoodle Group work
E-Learning team member receiving instructionsTeam discussion about modules deveopment

December 2009: World AIDS Day 1st December 2009

Understanding the facts about AIDS is the key to fighting prejudice and protecting oneself and others.

TATCOT Staff and Students of the different courses have formed a living sculpture of the AIDS ribbon symbol. TATCOT supports soidarity and against discrimination of people with HIV and AIDS.

Tatcot staff AIDS Day

November 2009: 10th Graduation Ceremony

The Chancellor of Tumaini University, Rev. Bishop Alex. G. Malasusa, conferred various Degrees and Diplomas to the various programmes at KCM-College as follows:

The Graduation Ceremony was attended by various dignitaries from the United Republic of Tanzania and other Universities within and outside the country.

Awarding Degrees Awarding Degrees
P & O Graduates receiving Degrees Chancellor awarding Degrees

The Prosthetics and Orthotics Programme of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, KCM-College, had seven graduates who were awarded a BSc in Prosthetics and Orthotics of Tumaini University.
Dean Harold Shangali with graduates Graduates P&O group photo
Dean Harold Shangali with graduates P & O graduates

November 2009: Website maintenance workshop for staff members at TATCOT

Parallel to the launch of the new TATCOT website, a 2-day website maintenance workshop was held for selected staff members. For 2 days, Mr. Longini B. Mtalo, Mrs. Violet Mwaijande, Mr. Exaud Y. Kasegezya and Mrs Lilian Kawishe participated in this event. The focus of this workshop was on:

The workshop was led by Mr. Werner Kirchmann, an IT consultant from Germany.


Practical WebtrainingSupervision by Instructor
Practical training website maintenanceMr. Kirchmann supervises the workshop


October 2009: Second blended learning course completed

The first group of students who attended the Spinal Orthotics Course (SOC) completed their course successfully in 2008 and the second group started in February and ended in October 2009.

A total number of 15 applications were received of which 2 could not attend the first face-to-face workshop held in February 2009 and were therefore not allowed to attend the course. The course had six theoretical subjects online, and began in March 2009 after the students attended a three days face-to-face introductory workshop in February 2009. All participants completed their tasks for the theoretical subjects, including assignments, chatroom sessions and participation in the discussion forum, before they were allowed to attend the concluding face-to-face practical workshop and final examination.

Casting Trial Fitting Final Fitting
Casting procedure Immobilization Patient with idiopathic scoliosis wearing orthosis

The final clinical examinations consisted of the students examining and fitting a patient with an orthosis and then making a clinical presentation to the examiners. This was followed by a written theoretical examination. The performance in both examinations was very good and all the candidates passed.

After completion of the examination and the compilation of the results, participants were presented with a Certificate. A list of all the successful candidates who completed the two courses has been sent to the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) for its approval and TATCOT is expecting ISPO recognition of the course shortly. It is anticipated that the graduates of both courses will be awarded an international certificate by ISPO which will serve to certify that they have successful completed a single discipline modular course in blended learning.


Handing Over Certificates Group Picture
Presentation of certificates Participants and tutors

After a very successful development phase of the course and two successfully completed courses, the demand by professionals to join a new course in Spinal Orthotics is rather high. TATCOT has therefore planned to launch a new SOC in February 2010.

October 2009: Fit For Life intermediate training at TATCOT-KCMC

The aim of this intermediate level course was to equip participants with the clinical knowledge and skills to deliver a professional wheelchair and seating service to clients with moderate postural support needs.

The target group for the training was for the persons involved in physical rehabilitation including the following:

A total number of 13 participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and Togo attended the course

September 2009: Children's wheelchair training report Lorewo, Namibia

There is a great demand of wheelchairs for people with mobility disabilities in developing countries. Mobility impaired persons face many challenges in being able to get from one place to another to allow independence and inclusion.

Some of the challenges faced are:

Most of the wheelchairs available in the African continent are donated from western industrial countries whose environment and economy is sound compared to the rough terrains and low economies of most African countries. The donated wheelchairs do not last long as they are not designed for the rough environment; they are also supplied without spare parts for replacement in cases of breakdown which returns the user to immobility and stigma.

Among the people facing such problems are children. Donated wheelchairs are mostly for adults and are distributed without following clinical ethics and when they are provided to children they are too large for them. Therefore most of the mobility disabled children remain indoors without attending schools, playing with their friends and enjoying their daily living freedom.

SINTEF (a Norwegian organization) which supports the Lorewo Wheelchair Workshops in Namibia and Zimbabwe requested the Tanzania Training Centre for Orthopaedic Technologists (TATCOT) to conduct a short training course in children's wheelchair fabrication at Lorewo, Oshakati Hospital, Namibia to meet children's needs in Namibia. The workshop has 7 staff, a manager, coordinator, two wheelchair technologists and three technicians.

Mr. Yona E. Gyunda (a wheelchair technology tutor) from TATCOT presented the training course which ran from14th September to 24th September 2009.

The training was divided into three parts:

August 2009: Final Examination of the BSc Course in Prosthetics and Orthotics

Patient presentation and research presentation.

External examiner:  Mrs. Sandra Sexton, Director of the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland.

Sandra Sexton has been appointed  by Tumaini University as external examiner of the BSc Programme in P & O in 2008 for a period of three years. From 10th to 12th August 2009, she attended the final clinical presentation and research presentation .

Sandra Sexton chaired the Board of Examiners durng the clinical presentations and led the questions in biomechanics and prosthetics and orthotics theory. The Board of Examiners consisted of one orthopaedic surgeon, three lecturers in P & O from Tumaini University, one physiotherapist  and Sandra Sexton. Of the nine students who presented for the final examination, two failed the practical part and have to repeat the final year.

The recommendations of the external examiner have been well received by the Faculty and will be taken into consideration for the next final examination in August 2010.

The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine appreciates the hard work carried out by Sandra Sexton.

Board of Examiners BSc Finalists
Board of Examiners Briefing for BSc students for the clinical presentation
Check out Procedures Special Gift
Mrs. Sandra Sexton questioning a student Sandra receiving farewell gift from TATCOT

March 2009: TATCOT participation in the KCMC Day Exhibition

Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) has a tradition of displaying and disseminating information on the training, research, medical and other allied health services provided to the general public at the KCMC Day Exhibition.

Some of the clients who benefited from the training through getting supportive seating devices. The training was funded by TATCOT through Human Right Tanzania (HRT) in collaboration with Motivation Africa.

TATCOT tutors explaining the different types of spinal orthoses Trans-radial amputee demonstrating the use of a prosthetic device
TATCOT tutors explaining the different types of spinal orthoses Trans-radial amputee demonstrating the use of a prosthetic device
Cutting vegetable by using a hook TATCOT tutors demonstrating to students the function of an AFO
Cutting vegetables using a hook TATCOT tutors demonstrating to students the function of an AFO

TATCOT, as one of the training centres within the campus, joined the others in educating the general public on the services available for people with physical disabilities. Information was displayed at the TATCOT booth as well as showing people with different pathologies who demonstrated their physical deficiencies. These individuals were later on fitted with assistive devices which enabled them to perform the different activities of their daily life.

March 2009: South meets East

In mid-March 2009 the University of Labour and Social Affairs (ULSA), Hanoi, Vietnam made a request related to the development of education, training and establishment of an advanced training programme in prosthetics and orthotics. Two senior consultants, Mr Harold G Shangali, Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, KCM College and Mr Wilfried Raab, Senior Instructor/Lecturer of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, KCM-College, were entrusted to carry out the work. This has resulted in positive future collaborative activities in continuing education and the development of advanced training programmes.

Mr. Shangali and Mr. Raab lecturing at VIETCOT in Hanoi, Vietnam Course Participants, right Mr. Thanh Director of VIETCOT
Mr. Shangali and Mr. Raab lecturing at VIETCOT in Hanoi, Vietnam Course Participants, right Mr. Thanh Director of VIETCOT

February 2009: Second eLearning course in spinal orthotics

During the last week in February 2009 an introductory workshop was held at TATCOT to instruct the new participants to the blended learning tools of the Global Campus 21.

Immediately after the introduction 14 Participants from Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria joined the eLearning course in spinal orthotics.

The time line of the course is about 8 months and ended in October 2009 with a face to face workshop of four weeks covering all practical tasks, the final examination in theory as well as the patient presentation.

eLearning Classroom Mr. Mtalo gives instruction to the participants
eLearning Classroom Mr. Mtalo gives instruction to the participants

TATCOT has applied to ISPO to accredit the eLearning course in spinal orthoticsit as a Category II level training approach. Recognition is still pending.

February 2009: TATCOT staff excursion to Amboni Caves, Tanga

One of the long-term customs of the centre is to have a staff excursion once a year. In February 2009, TATCOT Staff had the opportunity to visit Amboni Caves, Tanga.

Tanzania has a number of attractive geographic features which includes its national parks with wild animal reserves, mountains, lakes etc. The Amboni Caves are the most attractive caves in East Africa and they are located 8 km north of Tanga in Tanzania. The caves were formed about 150 million years ago and cover an area of 234 km².

The TATCOT team at the Amboni Caves

It is not known exactly when the caves were discovered but reports indicate that ethnic groups such as the Segeju, Sambaa, Bondei and Digo who lived near the caves used it for traditional prayers. According to researchers the area was under water some 20 million years ago. There are altogether ten caves but only one is used for guided tours.

Mrs C Lyimo (TATCOT Staff) followed by Mrs R Simba (Lawyer), a wife of one of the staff, struggling through the caves. The caves attract tourists as well as students for their Geography/History lessons. The attraction includes: rocks in the shapes of a sofa, a ship, a crocodile, an elephant, a map of Africa, a statue, head of a male lion, female and male genital structures, and the Virgin Mary and speleothems (natural and artificial formations) including stalactites, flowstones, dripstones, rimstones, sodastraws, helictites and columns. There are also some words written from the Koran and translated as: "There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God."

October 2008: A visit from Germany

As a follow-up of the discussions held during the World Congress in Leipzig, Germany TATCOT was honoured to have the President of the Bundesinnungsverband for Orthopaedic Technologists Germany, Mr. Frank Juettner, and a senior member of the Bundesinnungsverband, Mr. Jens Franke visit the centre.

The main objective of the visit was to share and outline activities of the Bundesinnungsverband, Bundesfachschule (BUFA) and TATCOT and thereafter address areas of common interest.

From left: W. Raab, F. Juettner, L. Mtalo, J. Franke, H. Shangali Mr. Frank Juettner and Mr. Jens Franke
From left: W. Raab, F. Juettner, L. Mtalo, J. Franke, H. Shangali Mr. Frank Juettner and Mr. Jens Franke

September 2008: Collaboration seminar between TATCOT and BUFA for ICRC experts

A joint collaborative seminar of experts from BUFA, and TATCOT on Ischial Containment Socket Design was carried out during which participants from ICRC where exposed to the technology.

Mr. D. Kokegei, an instructor from BUFA, demonstrated measurement, transfer, rectification, alignment and fitting procedures. This was later carried out by the participants who practiced their skills by using direct moulding of polypropylene in producing the final socket.

D. Kokegei BUFA handing over Certificate Manufacture of cosmesis ICRC polypropylene knee joint
D. Kokegei BUFA handing over Certificate Manufacture of cosmesis ICRC polypropylene knee joint

September 2008: Mr. HG Shangali visits Oslo University

Sophie Minde Hospital, through Mr Rune Nielsen, initiated discussions on possible collaboration between the Tanzania Training Centre for Orthopaedic Technologists (TATCOT) and the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Sophie Minde Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

These discussions resulted in developing South to North and South to South Collaboration between Sophie Minde Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi; Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar; and TATCOT, Moshi, Tanzania. Since then one of the TATCOT staff, Ms Hortensia Mranga, has joined the team in Norway and is now serving as a short term consultant in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi which has reciprocated by sending Mr Patric Francisco to TATCOT through the same collaborative arrangements. The aim of this collaboration is to:

These collaborations have started bearing positive fruits as the professionals involved are motivated due to the opportunities to experience technologies practiced in different settings and sharing their experiences.

Cast room in Oslo, Norway Lamination facility in Oslo, Norway
Cast room in Oslo, Norway Lamination facility in Oslo, Norway

The organizational structure and set-up of facilities in industrial countries has a very clear order. This has raised questions in developing countries such as:

These observations need some positive action in order to re-assess the set-up in developing counties and improve the facilities and services there.

May 2008: Consultation ISTM, Valance, France

A consultation task at Institut Supérieur Montaplasir (ISTM), Valance, France was carried out by Mr H G Shangali (TATCOT) and Mr C Tardif (ICRC) from 13th May 2008 to 17th May 2008. The main objective was to evaluate the training course in prosthetics and orthotics and recommend its status in terms of international categorization to the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO).

The Institut Supérieur Technologique Montaplasir (ISTM) was established in 1950 in Valance and it has continued to expand its activities in different training and education programs. It is a private institution with a bilateral agreement with the government in its training policy. The Institute gets a grant from the Government to cover salaries and recurrent costs. The institute trains different sectors, for example paramedical, administration, management at different levels (CAP, BEP, DT, Baccalaureat and BTS). It also has a centre for professional training and development offering specific courses for those already working.

Clinic workshop Discussion of the consultants Special seat
Clinic workshop Discussion of the consultants Special seat

The training of technical orthopaedic professionals started in 1996 and enrols students to undertake the Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) in Prosthetics and-Orthotics

As part of the course the students undergo a clinical attachment at an identified centre of their own choosing taking into account convenience in terms of accommodation and transport costs.

May 2008: TATCOT participation at the Orthopaedie International Congress in Leipzig

TATCOT was represented at the International Congress which is organized bi-annually by Bundesinnungsverband (BIV) in Leipzig, Germany. The education and training of professionals at TATCOT was presented through poster sessions, fliers and slide presentations. The team, which comprised Mr HG Shangali, Mr LB Mtalo, Mr W Raab and Mr RN Mayalla, had an opportunity of attending presentations related to different approaches, developments and recently available materials, components and technologies in the field of rehabilitation technology.

H.G. Shangali Representing TATCOT at the ISPO Booth Wheelchair Useres testing the new Technology
H.G. Shangali Representing TATCOT at the ISPO Booth Wheelchair Useres testing the new Technology

The outcome of participation in this Congress provided some exposure to the advancement of technology and contacts with future collaborators such as Bundesinnungsverband, Fraunhofer Institut and Otto Bock.

April 2008: Upper limb prosthetics seminar for BSc course

During the last week of April 2008 TATCOT organized a seminar on upper limb prosthetics. The seminar was designed as a module for the BSc course and covered all the subjects related to upper limb prosthetics for the 3rd and 4th years of the course.

During the 10 days seminar the students took measurements, casts, performed alignment procedures, and fitted and delivered cosmetic and body powered prostheses for transradial and trans-humeral amputations.

Trans radial Prosthesis Cast rectification by the students Fitting of a trans-humeral prosthesis
Trans radial Prosthesis Cast rectification by the students Fitting of a trans-humeral prosthesis

The seminar was well received by both classes and TATCOT is planning to run this activity every second year for the same target group.

April 2008: Seminar on custom seating for the wheelchair

From 31st March to 9th April 2009 TATCOT, in collaboration with TAMARAK, organized a one week seminar on custom seating. The participants were TATCOT teaching staff, BSc 4th year students and Wheelchair Technology students. The objective was to impart knowledge and skills in design, assessment, application, fabrication and fitting and follow-up for custom orthotic seating for children and young adults with neuromuscular deficiencies.

Course participants presenting their outcome Marty Carlson checking the outcome of the new custom made seating
Course participants presenting their outcome Marty Carlson checking the outcome of the new custom made seating

This seminar was supported by TAMARAK which covered the costs of the experts (Marty Carlson, Mark Payette, and Sherry Rovig), equipment and some materials. During the workshop there were 8 custom seats manufactured and attached to wheelchairs for children at Farajah Children Rehabilitation Centre, Sanya Juu near Moshi. All the seats and wheelchairs were delivered to the children.


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