Eqwal Foundation : Orthopedic Training Mission in Senegal

To strengthen access to orthopedic care in Senegal, a training mission was recently conducted in Ziguinchor. This initiative by Eqwal Foundation and Nav’Solidaire is part of a broader effort toward sustainable cooperation and the upskilling of local teams.

Training and supporting Senegalese teams

Affiliated with the regional hospital of Ziguinchor, the CRAO (Regional Center for Orthopedic Fitting) has benefited for several years from material support provided by the Nav’Solidaire association. Naturally, this mission was developed in partnership with Eqwal Foundation to provide technical assistance to the on-site orthoprosthetist and their team of three technicians.

Benoit Kedzieski and Laurent Duarte, two orthoprosthetists from Eqwal Ability Belgium, traveled for more than ten days to share their expertise. After a brief introduction to the program and the teams, they were able to begin the training. From casting to adjustments, including manufacturing, all stages involved in producing prostheses and orthoses were covered. Thanks to this support, the local teams were able to enhance their skills, and an orthopedic solution was provided to each patient.

Exchange and transfer of expertise

Maintained in a consistently positive atmosphere, the mission met the strong desire and need for learning among the local teams. It marks the beginning of a training process that will continue over time. With each mission, teams in Senegal will become increasingly effective in using the new components delivered by Nav’Solidaire.

This initial mission also helped identify resources that are lacking locally, particularly in terms of equipment. Following this needs assessment, work will soon be carried out to select the necessary tools and materials in preparation for the next mission.