First Medical and Training Mission
Amman, Jordan - May 2006
(pictured are Linda Smythe and prosthetic physiotherapists working with a bilateral Iraqi amputee)
B.A.S.R.A. (Bringing Assistance and Support to Recovering Amputees) Prosthetics for Life, Inc. has been incorporated as an offshoot to Rotary International's District #7620 BASRA, Iraq Prosthetics Project.
This entity was formed to encompass the unique and demanding requirements of successfully meeting the needs of amputees internationally.
The BASRA, Iraq Prosthetics Project started as an all volunteer Rotary International District #7620's project with the Rotary Club of Montgomery Village and the district which provided funding and a matching grant.
The leadership of this project partnered with other rotary clubs as well as with Physicians for Peace, Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., The Mosaic Foundation, Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD, King Hussein Medical Center in Amman, Jordan, Amman Cosmopolitan Rotary Club, and the Ministry of Health in Iraq to bring aid to the amputees of war-torn Basra, Iraq.
Additionally the US Department of State granted a total of $1.7 million to this important and inspiring initiative.
The numbers of civilian amputees in Iraq have risen due primarily to landmines, insurgent attacks and as a consequence of war. It is estimated that there are in excess of 50,000 amputees in Iraq, many of which are women and children. Health care in the war-torn nation is barely accessible and of poor quality. Prosthetics are desperately needed to improve the prospects and quality of life for these amputees.
The project has conducted Nationwide Limb Drives to collect used prosthetics to be broken down into useful components and sent to Iraq. This effort served to jump start their prosthetics program.
In May 2006, the first medical mission took place and involved the training of Iraqi Ministry of Health physicians and medical staff as well as directly providing treatment to the most difficult cases of Iraqi amputees at the King Hussein Medical Center in Amman, Jordan.
There are many aspects to this project. Funding, PR, management, technical prosthetic knowledge and administration are critical to a successful outcome.
The next steps of the B.A.S.R.A. Prosthetics for Life, Inc. (B.A.S.R.A.) involve training Iraqi Ministry of Health personnel in the United States and at the Al Hussein Society in Amman, Jordan (for whom we have purchased a scanner and carver for training purposes).
Ultimately, additional equipment including a scanner and carver is planned to be purchased for the Basra Prosthetics Centre. On an ongoing basis, B.A.S.R.A. are supplementing the clinic wih needed medical prosthetic supplies and equipment.