Health
Firm expands prosthetics training initiative to strengthen Africa’s rehabilitation workforce
Janet Ogundepo
A prosthetics and orthotics company, IfeanHealth, has expanded its training initiative across Africa with the selection of scholars from Nigeria and Kenya for internship placements aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and clinical practice.
The company said the initiative is designed to build a pipeline of globally competitive prosthetics and orthotics professionals by providing structured mentorship, hands-on clinical training and cross-regional exposure.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement and orientation programme for the selected scholars ahead of their internship placements in Lagos and Enugu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IfeanHealth, Ejike Anih, said the scholarship and scholar programme was created to strengthen human capital development in prosthetics and orthotics across the continent.
In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, Anih noted that the programme was inspired by his personal and professional experience as an alumnus of the Management Development Programme at Abbott, a United States-based multinational medical devices and healthcare company.
The CEO said the initiative goes beyond national development, describing it as a strategic platform for advancing prosthetics and orthotics capacity across Africa.
He added that the programme is positioning itself as a talent pipeline for emerging rehabilitation professionals while encouraging participants to embrace discipline, consistency and purpose throughout their careers.
Anih also emphasised professionalism, integrity and confidentiality as core values expected of the scholars during their internship experience.
The company noted that five scholars selected for the internship phase emerged from 11 outstanding winners of the IfeanHealth Scholarship Programme.
It noted that the final cohort includes a scholar from Kenya, reflecting the programme’s growing continental reach and its vision of building a connected network of prosthetics and orthotics professionals across Africa.
Also speaking, the Programme Coordinator and Director of Strategic Partnerships and Impact Initiatives, Eva James, described the internship as a transition “from selection to responsibility” and “from potential to performance.”
She explained that the programme bridges classroom learning with real-world clinical exposure by equipping participants with structured mentorship, practical experience and professional discipline needed to excel in prosthetics and orthotics practice across different healthcare systems.
Other executives of the company also highlighted the importance of excellence, collaboration and innovation in delivering quality prosthetics and orthotics services.
During interactive mentorship sessions, the scholars received guidance on professionalism, ethical practice, leadership, effective communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, patient-centred care and continuous professional development.
The executives urged the participants to see themselves not only as future clinicians but also as future leaders who would contribute to shaping rehabilitation services across Africa.
The selected scholars will undertake internship placements in Lagos and Enugu, where they will gain clinical and operational experience within IfeanHealth’s healthcare system.
The company said the placements are expected to further strengthen its contribution to the development of prosthetics and orthotics practice across Africa and beyond.
During an interactive session, the scholars said they learnt about the scholarship programme through digital platforms, referrals and professional recommendations, which the company said reflected its growing visibility within the healthcare training space.
At the end of the programme, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing healthcare innovation, strengthening professional networks and contributing to a more connected and future-ready prosthetics and orthotics landscape across Africa.
Dignitaries present at the event included several directors and stakeholders, including Chijioke Ahamefula – Director, Brand & Marketing, Chimela Chijioke – Senior Manager, Operations, Dauda Mohammed Sani – Head of Department, Physiotherapy, Lawrence Katden – Head of Department, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Stephen Nnaji – Head of Department, Patient Access, Mary Ebong – Manager, Human Resources, Divine Abu – Brand Specialist.
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