The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is in collaboration with Latter-day Saints Charities (LDSC) and Motivation Charitable Trust to integrate the World Health Organisation Wheelchair Services Training Package into the BSc. Physiotherapy and BSc. Occupational therapy programmes.
According to the Chair of the Department, Dr. Joseph Matheri the purpose of the training package is to develop the minimum skills and knowledge required by personnel involved in wheelchair service delivery.
“Within the collaboration, we seek to build the capacity of relevant JKUAT Rehabilitation faculty, clinical and technical staff as Trainers of Trainees (ToTs) on wheelchair service provision. This will include training them on assessment, prescription, assembly, fitting and maintenance of wheelchairs,” said Dr. Matheri.
Speaking when he visited JKUAT, April 6, 2022, Elder Dr. John Dow of LDSC said their mission is to improve mobility, health, education and economic opportunities for people with physical disabilities.
He averred that he was glad they were in collaboration with an academic institution saying the collaboration is in tandem with their approach.
“Apart from working with local organisations to improve services for persons with disabilities and providing wheelchairs that are appropriate to individual needs and circumstances, our approach focuses on training individuals and caregivers for the benefit of those with physical disabilities,” said Dr. Dow.
The partnership will see the three organisations provide wheelchairs and other mobility aids to alleviate mobility challenges and quality of life of persons with physical disabilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance, Prof. Bernard Ikua said the collaboration will be instrumental in enhancing the curriculum offered at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences.
“Let me thank LDSC and MCT for choosing JKUAT as a partner in this noble collaboration. It is gratifying to note that this partnership will be instrumental in bolstering our curriculum,” said Prof. Ikua.
To ensure the success of the programme, Ag. Principal, College of Health Sciences, Dr. Reuben Thuo said they will employ a multidisciplinary approach and work with the College of Engineering and Technology to fabricate wheelchairs for the project.
Director, Motivation Charitable Trust, Africa, Mr. Peter Mbugua said MCT has been exploring sustainable models for skills development and was glad that they have partnered with JKUAT in the programme.
The meeting was also addressed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Robert Kinyua, Ag. Dean, School of Medicine, Dr. Justus Simba and Denis Mukasa Regional Director of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDSC) Charities among others.
Source: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology