The Sawasia Center for Prosthetics and Rehabilitation in the city of Afrin provides a variety of free services to a large number of beneficiaries in the fields of prosthetics, mobility aids, physical therapy, psychological support, orthopedic clinic, and patient transport.
• 15-20 prosthetic limbs every month.
The center’s supervisor, Yamen Abdul Rahman, said that the number of lower limb prosthetics provided since the center began operating in mid-2019 has reached 950 beneficiaries, at a monthly rate of 15-20 limbs, the vast majority of whom are displaced persons in Afrin. Eighty-five percent of the cases involve injuries caused by war remnants, shelling, or combat, in addition to cases of diabetes and traffic and work accidents. Most of the beneficiaries are young men between the ages of 16 and 30, with a smaller percentage of children and women.
The center’s supervisor explained that the prosthetic limbs provided are of good quality and are made from lightweight materials. The average lifespan of a prosthetic limb is about a year and a half, depending on how often it is used. Patients are trained on how to use the prosthetic limb and perform appropriate exercises at home, and to have them serviced regularly at the center. He pointed out that it is not possible to provide smart prosthetic limbs because they are very expensive, costing $20,000 or more per limb, which is beyond the means of the center and its supporting organization, the International Social Development Foundation (SDI).
According to the center’s supervisor, 650 orthopedic devices have been provided to 350 children with cerebral palsy who are unable to walk, at a rate of 15 to 20 patients per month. In addition, 40 to 50 mobility aids were provided each month, including crutches, wheelchairs, knee and back braces, neck collars, and foot splints.
Abdulrahman pointed out that there are between 700 and 800 physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions per month, and most cases involve cerebral palsy, especially in children. He treats all types of fractures and lower back pain, paralysis, neck pain, and neurological and brain injuries. There are two sections, one for males and one for females, equipped with advanced mobility and electrical devices. while the number of beneficiaries of psychological support reached 200, and 60 from the orthopedic clinic, and 300 transfers benefited 60 to 70 patients residing in various places in the Afrin region who are unable to come to the center, where they are picked up from their homes and brought to the center and returned to them.
• Courses in various professions
Regarding other activities, the center supervisor adds that recreational activities, fasting breakfasts, and nine training courses were held, covering laptop and mobile phone maintenance, learning Office programs on the computer, barbering for men, and hairdressing for women. Each course lasted two to three months. A 10-day football tournament was also held for people with disabilities, in which the Afrin team of patients from the center and several teams from Idlib participated. In addition, some of them were allocated heating subsidies in coordination with one of the organizations, and jobs were secured for four of those who underwent courses at the center and elsewhere.
• Outstanding success stories
Regarding some of the outstanding success stories of the center’s patients, Abdulrahman explained that they include:
After receiving prosthetic limbs, some continued their studies at university and graduated.
Children who were isolated, depressed, and afraid to go to school regained their zest for life after receiving prosthetic limbs, integrating into society, and eagerly attending school.
Children who were unable to walk were able to walk and run after receiving prosthetic limbs and continuing treatment, filling their hearts and those of their families with joy and happiness.