A new National Prosthetics Centre has officially opened in Penal, aimed at clearing a backlog of more than 200 patients waiting for artificial limbs.
Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe says the Centre will respond to rising amputations linked to diabetes and represents a shift from last year’s Indian-supported limb camp to a permanent national facility.
“Work is already underway to support additional patients identified through the existing waiting lists, which currently includes more than 200 persons requiring prosthetic services and follow-up care.”
Speaking at the launch of the National Prosthetics Centre in Penal, Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe said the facility is being positioned as a direct response to urgent demand, with hundreds of patients already waiting for care.
He said the Centre’s first task is clearing that waiting list.
“We will address the backlog of persons waiting for prosthetic limbs as well as cater to future needs. This Centre will provide assessment, fitting and follow-up services while also supporting local technical training and capacity building within the public health system.”
He also announced that work in the new Centre is already underway.
“And Prime Minister, I’m happy to announce that the first two patients for limbs have already been measured and will be fitted very shortly. I also wish to recognize the support provided through Jaipur USA, including the deployment of a specialized prosthetics technician from India. This technician will be based in Trinidad and Tobago for the next 12 months to assist in training and skills transfer at the Centre.”
But the Minister said demand for prosthetic services remains high, driven by consistently elevated rates of diabetes-related amputations, with 400 to 500 lower limb amputations annually over the last decade.
“This reflects the wider national burden of chronic disease, particularly diabetes. Diabetes is estimated to affect close to 15% of our adult population, with a significant number of cases remaining undiagnosed. This means that there are close to 150,000 of our citizens living with diabetes in Trinidad and Tobago.”
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the original limb camp revealed far greater need than anticipated.
“Today we are now taking this to the next stage by setting up a Centre. But I also want to take the opportunity to say that I know the demand was more than what was envisaged a year ago, and we will go the extra mile to meet the extra demand.”
Dr. Bodoe said the Ministry must also reduce future demand, citing proposed nutritional labelling, tighter tobacco control laws and continued efforts to better manage chronic diseases.