The Sierra Leonean Government has signed a partnership deal with MIT’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics to upgrade the capabilities and services of the country’s orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) sector.

The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) in Sierra Leone and the MIT, the Center for Bionics, and will provide a detailed memorandum of understanding (MOU) and intentions that will begin as a four-year program.

The partners highlighted six key objectives for strengthening Sierra Leone’s O&P sector. These include data collection and clinic operations, education, supply chain, infrastructure, new technologies, and mobile delivery of service.

The collaboration is also aimed at sustainably doubling the manufacturing and distribution of O&P services at Sierra Leone’s National Rehabilitation Center and Bo Clinics over a period of four years.

Austin Demby, the Minister for Health in Sierra Leone said the ministry is honored to work and learn from the MIT team for the next four years in building a stronger health system, particularly for vulnerable groups.

In Sierra Leone, studies show that tens of thousands of people are in need of orthotic braces and artificial limbs, although there is limited access to such specialised medical care. 

According to the graduate student leaders of the MIT Sierra Leone project, Francesca Riccio-Ackerman said the collaboration is aimed to “improve available orthotic and prosthetic care for people with disabilities”.