Nigeria’s Prosthetics and Orthotics market is experiencing regular development, with a projected CAGR of 6.0% in the course of the forecast interval.
The market is estimated at USD 1.29 million in 2024 and is pushed by rising demand from trauma-related accidents, poorly managed well being circumstances, and a big, underserved inhabitants.
Business experiences counsel that enlargement will proceed by the early 2030s, regardless of ongoing challenges with price, entry, and infrastructure.
Whereas prosthetics are technically obtainable throughout Nigeria, high quality stays a serious concern.
Nearly all of amputees require lower-limb prosthetics, with diabetes being the main reason for amputation, in accordance with Mr. Chinedu Onyenucheya, CEO of Goldville Prosthetics and Orthotics Restricted, who spoke with Nairametrics.
In line with Onyenucheya prices differ considerably relying on the origin and model of parts, with imported supplies and fluctuating international trade charges driving costs larger. Though native manufacturing may considerably scale back prices, the sector stays underdeveloped.
NAIRAMETRICS: Many Nigerians who lose their limbs battle with mobility for years. In your expertise, how are prosthetic legs obtainable within the nation as we speak?
Onyenucheya : Effectively, prosthetics in Nigeria as we speak are virtually in all places. However the actual concern isn’t availability, it’s high quality. There are just a few certified professionals expert in making prosthetics.
Many individuals can name themselves prosthetists, however the high quality of their work is what really defines their professionalism.
Sadly, in Nigeria, virtually anybody could make a prosthesis, however what you really get is determined by the ability of the particular person attending to you.
Prosthetics can be found, however there are various quacks. I’ve seen sufferers come to me with prosthetics that they couldn’t even use for per week. Their stumps have been bruised, they couldn’t stroll correctly, and a few deserted the prosthesis totally, returning to crutches.
So, whereas availability is excessive, high quality is what actually counts.
NAIRAMETRICS: What are the principle causes of amputation in Nigeria, and the way does that form the sort of prosthetics sufferers want?
Onyenucheya :There isn’t any nationwide information on the precise variety of amputees in Nigeria; any determine given is predicated on an estimate. However from my expertise, the speed of amputees is excessive, whereas those that have prosthesis units are low because of the affordability.
Nearly all of our sufferers are decrease limb amputees. This consists of any a part of the leg, such because the knee. Higher limb prosthetics, like palms, are extra delicate and complicated, so we see fewer of these. Decrease limb amputations dominate our affected person consumption.
I don’t have precise statistics however based mostly on our expertise over the previous two years, most amputations we deal with are on account of diabetes notably diabetic gangrene.
Out of all of the sufferers we see, the bulk are diabetic. The remainder are distributed between accidents and vascular-skeletal illnesses.
I ought to notice that different facilities might even see extra accident-related amputations and fewer diabetic instances. So, my observations are particular to our observe and never a generalization.
In terms of prosthetic providers, this entails changing a lacking limb, which varies in sort and performance relying on the person. For diabetic sufferers, we’re at all times cautious with the sort of prosthetic used.
Diabetes complicates therapeutic, and any harm from utilizing a prosthetic that isn’t correctly managed may result in re-amputation.
NAIRAMETRICS: What’s the typical price of prosthetics in Nigeria, for arms or legs?
Onyenucheya: Element choice is subsequently important for these sufferers. Basically, prosthetics come in numerous sorts and features, and their effectiveness is determined by correct design and cautious collection of parts to make sure security and sturdiness.
Most facilities don’t actually clarify prosthetic choices to sufferers. They merely cost, and since sufferers are sometimes unaware or naïve, they settle for no matter they’re given with out realizing the distinction in high quality or sort.
For a below-knee prosthetic, the minimal price is about N600,000, and that’s utilizing the most cost effective parts, often from China. Costs then differ relying on the precise model and kind of element used.
On the larger finish, German-made prosthetics can price as much as N25 million, the value of a luxurious. These are very sturdy however extraordinarily costly.
The principle issue driving up prices is the trade price, since we buy parts in Euros and U.S. {dollars} from nations like Germany, China, and the U.S. That’s why prosthetics in Nigeria are so costly.
NAIRAMETRICS: Is Nigeria dearer or cheaper in comparison with different African nations? Do sufferers from different nations come right here for prosthetics?
Onyenucheya: Sure, I’ve had sufferers from nations like Cameroon and Ghana come right here to buy prostheses. From what they inform me; their greatest problem isn’t the associated fee however the lack of expert professionals of their nations.
In comparison with different African nations, the distinction just isn’t essentially in pricing however within the availability of skilled prosthetists, which many nations on the continent nonetheless lack.
In terms of price, it varies throughout Africa relying on every nation’s financial system and entry to imported parts. In Nigeria, nonetheless, the financial state of affairs makes prosthetics comparatively costly.
One of many greatest issues is that Nigeria doesn’t have firms manufacturing prosthetic parts domestically.
I as soon as spoke with an engineer who defined why firms are reluctant to supply prosthetic parts in Nigeria. They fear about market measurement and shopper demand. As a result of prosthetics are nonetheless a growing sector right here, they don’t see sufficient assured gross sales to justify large-scale manufacturing.
But when we had firms producing parts domestically, costs would drop considerably. With native manufacturing, an amputee ought to be capable to get a snug prosthetic for round N100,000–N200,000 as a substitute of the N600,000 and above we see as we speak.
NAIRAMETRICS: In actuality, who can afford prosthetics in Nigeria? Is it the wealthy, or the center class?
Onyenucheya: That’s the massive query. In terms of affordability, proper now, solely the rich or higher center class can realistically afford high-quality prosthetics. Nearly all of amputees, particularly these from low-income backgrounds, are priced out.
If native manufacturing existed, it will make prosthetics accessible to peculiar Nigerians, not simply the wealthy.
In the present day, China has virtually taken over the prosthetic trade, and a lot of the parts obtainable are Chinese language made, although many retailers don’t even notice this. So, finally, affordability is determined by the person’s monetary functionality.
The rich and center class can afford prosthetics, however the poor in our society typically can’t. The center class, being working-class individuals, nonetheless handle to afford it.
In our institution, since we don’t but work immediately with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)although we’re open to partnerships we attempt to ease the burden by providing versatile cost choices. Sufferers could make an preliminary deposit after which full the steadiness whereas their prosthesis is being produced. That’s how we’ve been in a position to assist extra individuals, pending once we safe NGO collaborations.
NAIRAMETRICS: Prosthetics might be psychologically demanding. How do sufferers cope after amputation?
Onyenucheya : Psychologically, it’s very demanding. It’s not simple to be an amputee, and plenty of sufferers go right into a state of melancholy after amputation. Even earlier than the process, we contain social employees to advise and assist sufferers, serving to them perceive that life doesn’t finish after amputation they will nonetheless use a prosthesis.
We offer dwelling providers to sufferers in Delta State, Edo State, and different areas within the east and west, attending to them at dwelling as a result of transferring an amputee just isn’t simple.
Most sufferers don’t use wheelchairs and depend on crutches, which can be tough. City residents, like these in Lagos or Abuja, typically have direct entry to prosthetic centres.
NAIRAMETRICS: Does NHIA or HMOs cowl prosthetic units in Nigeria, or do sufferers pay out of pocket?
Onyenucheya : In all my years of observe, most sufferers pay totally out of pocket. I haven’t dealt with amputations underneath many insurance coverage schemes. I’m not conscious of NHIA or HMOs assist or pay for prosthetic units.
Those that can’t afford prosthetics typically go free of charge ones.
Nigeria has no efficient coverage at present on prosthetics. The federal government ought to focus extra on incapacity, particularly financing for amputees.
State-level organizations exist, however extra assist is required. Sufferers shouldn’t should journey far to get good prosthetics; the parts used domestically are the identical as overseas.
We’d like correct coaching and expert trainers in prosthetics and orthotics. Funding is important it’s costly financially and by way of manpower. Rising the workforce will take vital sources and dedication.
Be First to Comment