Demand for prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs increases

Hospitals in Abu Dhabi are handing out prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs worth millions of dirhams to patients each month as they tackle increasingly complex medical needs.

From supporting diabetics who have lost limbs to providing wheelchairs for stroke patients, hospitals are spending more than ever on meeting patients’ medical requirements .

The rise in demand for assisted living devices comes at a time of growing public discourse across the UAE about the needs of the disabled.

In March next year the country will host the Special Olympics, the first time the event will be held in the Middle East.

“Demand for prosthetics are increasing because of the increase in diseases, number of surgeries, trauma and road traffic accidents,” said Dr Aref Al Shehhi, Chief Executive Officer of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.

“Traumatic injury is the highest but there is a good number from diabetic amputations and vascular disease. This is a rapidly growing field from very simple requirements to high-tech electronic devices that come close to artificial intelligence.”

SKMC issues up to 50 new wheelchairs and 15 artificial limbs to patients every month.

“If we are talking about a basic wheelchair, the cost could be about Dh5,000, but a more sophisticated, customised wheelchair could cost more than Dh100,000,” said Dr Rida Baruni, chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at SKMC.

“On the other hand, with artificial limbs – there are basic ones made of aluminium or titanium as well as more sophisticated ones – the prices are over Dh130,000.

“The government here is very generous in making these devices readily available to the people. Durable medical equipment and rehab technology adds to the huge costs of health care.”