Global South-South Development Expo 2009 - Call for nominations
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Special Unit for South-South Cooperation invite you to nominate a project or program that has provided a successful solution to a public health problem through effective leadership, innovation, and partnership.
For more information please visit the link www.paho.org/gssdexpo09. The deadline for submission of the nomination form is 15 November 2009.
An information flyer can be downloaded here (PDF-document, 1 page, 168 KB).
December 2007: eLearning Course - examination of the pilot subject Biomechanics
On 12th December 2007, 20 of the 22 eLearning participants completed the pilot subject Biomechanics. They were invited to TATCOT to sit the final examination and received further instruction to complete the remaining subjects of the course: Anatomy, Pathology, Workshop Technology Radiology, Clinics and Practice. The remaining course duration was scheduled to be 9 months and will be completed with a face to face workshop in practical and the final examinations of the remaining subjects in September 2008.
eLearning participants after successful examination
Instruction to the students
Final examination in Biomechanics
Mr. A. Ndosi Course Coordinator and Mr. L. Mtalo Academic Officer, presenting certificates
November 2007: Graduation of Categories III, II and I
The graduation for the certificate courses in Lower Limb Orthotics, Lower Limb Prosthetics, Wheelchair Technology, the diploma course in Orthopaedic Technology and the BSc degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics were concluded and the qualifying students were awarded their respective certificates in the different categories.
Graduates waiting for the graduation, left Faculty of Orthopaedic Technology BSc
Mr. D. Blocka President of ISPO, Ms. S. Sexton, Director of the NCPO Glasgow Scotland, Mr. Pierre Gauthier
Certificates in Lower Limb Prosthetics and Lower Limb Orthotics: A total number of 10 students graduated in November 2007 which brings the total number of graduates of this category of professional to 83 since its inception in 1994.
Certificate in Wheelchair Technology: A total number of 9 students graduated in November 2007 which brings the total number of graduates of this category of professional to 57 since its inception in 2001.
Diploma in Orthopaedic Technology: A total number of 15 students graduated in November 2007 which brings the total number of graduates of this category of professional to 279 since its inception in 1981.
Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics: A total number of 4 students graduated in November 2007 which brings the total number of graduates of this category of professional to 27 since its inception in 1999.
Mr. Mayalla, director of Orthopaedic Workshop and Mr. Raab CIM Clinical Consultant
Mr. M. Stills, Prof. G. Neff Orthopaedic Surgeon, Prof. N. Jacobs former President of ISPO
November 2007: ISPO course on the diabetic foot
In mid-November 2007 a course on the diabetic foot was organized by TATCOT in collaboration with ISPO. The main aim of the course was to update professionals in the field of rehabilitation medicine on the pre-operative, post-operative and conservative management of the diabetic foot. The facilitators of the course were highly experienced clinicians from Tanzania and abroad.
TATCOT Seminar Facilitators
Lecture Hall and participants
November 2007: 25th Anniversary of TATCOT
From the 5th to 9th November 2007, TATCOT celebrated its 25th anniversary. The climax of the celebration was attended by most of the people who took part in the establishment and the development of the school since 1981. The celebration was marked by reflecting on the past and present activities of TATCOT as well as its future status and prospects.
TATCOT was privileged to have delegates from various institutions/organisations within and outside the country. There were a number of key representatives from renowned and collaborating institutions and organizations including representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Tanzania, the German Ambassador, and the WHO Regional Office.
Registration at the TATCOT booth
TATCOT party and cake
From left to right: Mrs. Shangali, Mr. Sepp Heim, Prof. Kessi
Mrs. S. Stills and Mrs. M. Jacobs helping the TATCOT staff preparing the participants'bags
The delegates appreciated the achievements and progress made in many of TATCOT's activities. However, a number of recommendations for the future were proposed, for example the sustainability and improvement of the educational standards, development of upgrading and higher degree courses, development of research, and the development and recruitment of the staff.
October 2007: South - East collaboration between two recognized training centres
Mr. W. Raab, who was invited to attend the 10th anniversary of the Vietnamese Training Centre for Orthopaedic Technologists (VIETCOT), has organized and conducted a hands on workshop in collaboration with the Tanzania Training Centre for Orthopaedic Technologists at VIETCOT.
During the three days seminar the participants have learned how to cast and rectify a hip disarticulation pelvic socket.
Demonstration of cast rectification
Casting procedures for hip disarticulation prosthesis
This activity is the starting point of a renewed collaboration between the two ISPO/WHO recognized training centres which has the aim of widening the expertise of the teaching staff. This, in turn, will also reduce the costs in the future of designing and running seminars and workshop by using the experts of both the centres. It will also improve their collaboration in the development of new training programmes.
It is hoped that this collaboration will lead to an affiliation between both Faculties and their Universities.
September 2007: Start of the Spinal Orthotics eLearning course
The pilot course in Spinal Orthotics started on the 17th September 2007 with its first subject, biomechanics. Twenty-two participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda participated in the first introductory face to face workshop at TATCOT. During this five days workshop the students were introduced to the online tools of the Global Campus 21 (the provider from InWEnt, Germany).
In addition the TATCOT eLearning team asked the participants to go through the modules which have been produced and give feedback about their content. The subject of biomechanics was designed as a pilot module and divided into four chapters. The aim was to complete the subject by mid-December 2007.
Mr. A. Ndosi, TATCOT eLearning Tutor, gives advice to the students
Prof. N. Jacobs enjoys lunch with the participants
Further information about the course structure and content can be found here.
Sept. 2007: PAWBA/TATCOT/Motivation UK: 4th All Africa Wheelchair Congress
The 4th All Africa Wheelchair Congress which was organized by the Pan African Wheelchair Builders Association (PAWBA) was held in Moshi at Uhuru Hotel, 17th - 21st September, 2007.
The theme was "Advancing Appropriate Wheelchair Services for Africa". The outcome of the congress was to harmonize training in wheelchair technology, production, distribution, financing and service coordination. There was also an agreement of changing the name of the association from PAWBA to PAWA (Pan African Wheelchair Association). There was also a public demonstration, carried out by the wheelchair users attending the Congress, to raise general public awareness on the ability, flexibility, accessibility and usability of a wheelchair within the local environment and conditions.
Opening Ceremony
Demonstration by wheelchair users
H. G. Shangali, Principal of TATCOT presenting a paper about standards for wheelchair services and training
This congress was attended by representatives of organisations/institutions involved in wheelchairs within and outside the country.
Among the supporters/funders who financed the congress were InWEnt (Germany), SINTEF (Norway), ABILS (Finland), Motivation (UK), WWI (USA), Shonaquip (South Africa), WHO (Geneva), APDK (Kenya), DISACARE (Zambia), KASI (Tanzania), MOHS (Tanzania), and TATCOT (Tanzania).
September 2007: Otto Bock ischial containment seminar for TATCOT tutors
Otto Bock, one of the main producers of components and consumables in the field of orthotics and prosthetics, has had close collaboration with TATCOT in supplies, training and support of small scale activities. In September it presented a hands-on seminar on special casting for ischial containment transfemoral sockets at TATCOT.
Mr. Laehrmann from Otto Bock demonstrates the SIT system
SIT Cast equipment and patient in correct casting position
The main objective of this seminar was to expose the TATCOT teachers to this technology which has been documented as the preferable transfemoral socket design as opposed to the quadrilateral socket. The knowledge and skills gained is used to train students in the BSc course.
August 2007: ISPO Congress in Vancouver, Canada
Mr Harold Shangali handed over the ISPO Presidency to Mr Dan Blocka at the ISPO World Congress in Vancouver. In his final speech Mr Shangali presented a summary of ISPO activities which were carried out and completed during his triennium. Among other activities, extensive work had been carried out on recognition of training programmes, consensus conferences on specific professional topics, and reforming the structure of the society.
During his Presidency the opportunity for participation by colleagues, organizations and training institutions was more open as compared to previous years, which enabled a larger number of ISPO members to participate in activities and express their opinions.
ISPO President Mr. H. G. Shangali escorted to the TATCOT booth
Provost Tumaini University Prof. E. Kessy and Mr. E. Mayo at TATCOT booth
TATCOT, as has been the case for a number of years, continued to serve as one of the key training centres within Africa and wider afield. This was demonstrated through its stand in the Exhibition, poster presentations and its input in the sessions on education and training of orthopaedic technologists and prosthetists/orthotists.
Due to the importance of such Congresses TATCOT was represented in Vancouver by a team of academic staff who participated in the entire Congress programme.
June 2007: Final steps for the eLearning course in Spinal Orthotics
TATCOT signed an agreement with Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung GmbH (InWEnt) and University Don Bosco (UDB), El Salvador to develop a Blended Learning Course in Spinal Orthotics. The course preparation took 12 months and was finalized by making a video about the practical content in June 2007. With generous financial and tutorial support by InWEnt, TATCOT was able to develop this course according to the needs of the rehabilitation services in Africa. The pilot course was launched in September 2007. (Further information is provided in the Events of September 2007.)
The new eLearning production centre, sponsored by InWEnt
Ms. U. Schoch inspecting the site, left Mr. L. Mtalo, right Mr. A. Ndosi
April 2007: Bauerfeind donation
TATCOT received prosthetic and othotic components as well as different materials from the German Orthopaedics Company, Bauerfeind. Mr Wieland Kaphingst, an Orthopaedic Engineer and one of the first GTZ experts working at TATCOT in 1982, organized the selection and shipping of the consignment. Mr Kaphingst works in the Development Department of Bauerfeind but has still empathy for orthopaedic technology in developing countries. The donation had a value of 50,000 Euro and is used for training purposes in all the TATCOT programmes. The TATCOT management is indebted to the Bauerfeind Company and Mr Kaphingst for this very helpful donation.
Mr. Longini Mtalo and Mr. Ingi Mayo arranging the shelves
A separate container has been arranged to store the donation
Colourfull stokinette for modern lamination procedures
February 2007: TATCOT enlarges the casting area for the BSc course
Since 1999 TATCOT has continuously increased its training programmes and enlarged the teaching facilities. One of the bottle-necks experienced over the past years was lack of adequate spaces in the practical training areas, especially those devoted to casting. This problem was solved by erecting a new casting area in the Mawenzi Wing which accommodates an average of 15 students and frees the casting area in the Kibo Building for the Diploma course.
BSc 4th Year, orthotic rectification
BSc students working in the area
January 2007: BSc Presentation to KCMC Clinical Conference
The Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) has established a clinical conference which is held every Wednesday from 8:00 to 9:00 am. Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College, Tumaini University is also situated within KCMC and staff from the different Departments/Faculties of the Centre and College present topics about different aspects of their professional fields in order to update other staff members and students the state of the art.
The final year TATCOT BSc students were given the task of presenting case studies of people with different neuromuscular skeleton deficiencies.
ROM testing of knee joint
Alignment of the new orthosis
Fitting procedures
A Lower Limb Orthotics (LLO) case of a person with poliomyelitis and fitted with a LLO was presented followed by a gait demonstration of the patient. The students made a PowerPoint presentation about the patient's clinical record, assessment and the justification for providing an LLO. In addition the students gave an overview about general orthotic principles and design for the lower limb.
January 2007: Installation of Gait Laboratory
The gait laboratory for analyzing motion and body segments was installed though the assistance of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) through staff of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA.
The gait laboratory room - outside view
Force plate
Gait laboratory
This support would not have been possible if it was not for the efforts of the former President of ISB Dr. Brian Davis with support of his colleagues, Joe Hamill and Geza Kogler, to whom TATCOT is greatly indebted. This facility is an important tool for an institution of higher learning to expose staff and students to aspects of biomechanics and enabling the researcher to establish good evidence based prosthetics and orthotics practice.
SHORT COURSE 2023/24