120 children get proper wheelchairs
THE Frank Hilton Organisation’s Mobility Device Service program has fitted 120 children with proper wheelchairs over the past three years that are of World Health Organization standards.
This was highlighted by the team’s physiotherapist Priyansha Chand during a media education program held at their office in Brown St, Suva yesterday.
“Ten are now left to be fitted with their new wheelchairs,” she said.
She said overall they conducted 716 screenings for children.
The organisation’s chief executive officer, Sureni Perera, said they were open to walk-in referrals.
“We also get referrals from the hospitals and we work in partnership with the Spinal Injury Association.”
The organisation’s second physiotherapist, Sylvina Reddy, said there needed to be a trained personnel present to assess the child before any fitting of a prescribed wheelchair was conducted.
Meawhile, Ms Perera said there was a lack of understanding in Fiji on how a mobility device should be prescribed for a child living with disability.
“The physiotherapy team went out to the schools to do screenings and we realised that a lot of children did not have access to these products,” she said.
“We provide services to all 17 special schools around Fiji and community outreach as well.”
The organisation’s wheelchair technician, Jope Liloma, said the children went through about three to four fittings before they found the most comfortable device to use.
“We take into consideration the physical environment where they live and where their school is situated.
“We are also responsible for training the caregivers and the families of these children on how to properly use the wheelchair which is prescribed for their children.”