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VICTIM ASSISTANCE

 
         
         
In MECHEM's commitment to get involved in all the five the Pillars of Mine Action as recognised by the United Nations, and as part of its making a contribution to improve the in the lives of landmine victims, MECHEM set out to developed the AFRI-FOOT which is a relatively inexpensive artificial foot that costs approximately 50% of what a normal prosthetic foot would cost.  
         
WHY THE AFRI-FOOT
 
         
 
It is cost effective,
Afrifoot
  
       
 
It is very robust and durable,  
       
 
It is non-corrosive,  
       
 
It is adjustable, and  
       
 
It is maintainable.  
       
 
It has been modified to be integrated into other existing prosthetic products.
Angolan, Hybrid and Afrifoot
  
         
PROJECTS
 
MECHEM was contracted by ESKOM to supply Project Management for the manufacture of 200 prosthetic feet to victims in Huambo in Angola , and to execute a capacity building and skills development programme for Angolan technicians at both the Viana and Huambo Prosthetic Clinics.  
         
The MECHEM product that has been utilised in the project with great success is the AFRIFOOT. This is a rugged terrain, cheap and virtually indestructible lower leg prosthesis developed by MECHEM as part if it's contribution to Mine Victim Assistance and which is also one of MECHEM's key pillars of Mine Action.  
         
Afrifoot
Afrifoot
  
Trying out his new foot
One satisfied patient!
 
         
As a result of the execution of the project and through research and development that has been invested in the project the "hybrid foot" was developed to integrate with the Angolan foot in the Afrifoot. The Afrifoot Hybrid now has the ability to articulate at the ankle allowing the user more flexibility and movement.  
         
Due to the success of this project MECHEM is now investigating the probability on how to further assist similar communities.  
         
         
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