KINGSTON, Jamaica. Tuesday, May 7, 2024: Another 60 Jamaicans will benefit from lower limb prosthesis, with the allocation of a second tranche of $50 million under ‘New Limb, New Life’, following the programme’s introduction in 2023.
Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP made the disclosure in Gordon House during his Sectoral Presentation on Tuesday (May 7).
“This programme saw 58 Jamaicans benefitting from lower limb prosthesis at a cost of $24 million. We will also be extending the programme for greater communication around diabetes, the causes, and how to control and prevent this debilitating illness,” the Minister said.
Last year, Dr. Tufton announced ‘New Limb, New Life’ as a means of enabling individuals with physical impairments to lead healthy, productive, and independent lives.
This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in August between the Ministries of Health and Wellness, and Labour and Social Security, for implementation through the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), and the injection of an initial JMD $50 million to commence the partnership.
“A Jamaican who gets a leg also gets a second chance to work and play and have a more contented life,” the Minister added.
Earlier this year, Dr. Tufton named Surgix Jamaica Limited and Tutu Prosthetics as the suppliers offering prosthetic services to the programme.
Roughly 15% of the world’s population is contending with disability due to non-communicable diseases, with diabetes being a considerable contributor to the problem among Jamaicans. Furthermore, 80% of amputations are linked to diabetes.