Local Prosthetic and Orthotic Component Development Many prosthetic limbs used in Vietnam are made with imported western components. The high costs of these limbs place them out of reach for most Vietnamese. In response to this challenge, Prosthetics Outreach Foundation (POF) began assisting local orthopedic centers in manufacturing prosthetic components with locally available materials and labor. Today all components used by POF partners in Vietnam are made in Vietnam. Local manufacturing has reduced the cost of prosthetic components by more than 90% over imports. This cost reduction has helped serve more amputees with limited resources. It has also helped us move closer to reaching our long-term goal, which is to help the Vietnamese build a rehabilitation system that is capable of serving their amputees without external assistance.  Local manufacturing also meets the specific needs and conditions of developing countries. For example, the EB1 Foot, a rubber foot that is water resistant and hence more durable in Vietnam's humid climate, was developed in response to rapidly deteriorating imported foam feet. A comparative study by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics found that the EB1 Foot had a rare 100% survival rate after 18 months of intensive field trials. POF has pioneered the local manufacturing of other low cost, durable prosthetic components, including knee joints, bushings, pylons, etc. We are now experimenting with different materials to increase the components' strength, while reducing the weight and cost of the components. With support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), POF was able to also assist with the local manufacturing of orthotic components. A total of seven different orthotic products have been developed and are currently being used in Vietnam. The expertise gained from our local manufacturing efforts in Vietnam is now being used to help our program partners in Bangladesh and Sierra Leone develop similar capabilities. Learn more about POF's local component manufacturing assistance...
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