To improve care for children with limb deformities, CURE Zimbabwe recently hosted a training session on limb reconstruction. The gathering brought together 25 dedicated medical professionals from across the region, united by a shared mission: to strengthen patient care and outcomes through innovative techniques.
The training was facilitated by Dr. Sam Weston-Simons, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at CURE Zimbabwe, Dr. Jabulile Mthethwa (a Bulawayo-born surgeon working around Zimbabwe and in the United Kingdom), Dr. Liz Moulder from the United Kingdom, and Drs. Rudolph Venter and Karolina Siwicka from South Africa.
A Collaborative Effort
At the heart of this training were the intricate workings of the Ilizarov and hexapod frames, revolutionary tools in limb reconstruction. These external fixators (which look like scaffolding around the limb) utilize rings, wires, and pins to correct deformities and lengthen bones gradually.
For individuals facing amputation or limited mobility due to their condition, the frames offer life-changing opportunities to regain function and live a fulfilling life.
The training explored the intricacies of installing the frames and their application in various scenarios. With facilitators from diverse geographical locations and with different experiences, this cross-border collaboration fostered a rich learning environment to benefit not only the participants but also the different communities the attendees represented.
Building a Stronger Healthcare System
This training is a reflection of CURE Zimbabwe’s commitment to building a robust healthcare system that extends beyond geographical boundaries. It paves the way for a future where medical techniques like Ilizarov frame treatment are accessible to more individuals in need.
The Ilizarov frame has benefitted patients like Peter, an 11-year-old boy being treated for a foot ulcer at CURE Zimbabwe using an Ilizarov frame to heal his bones.
CURE Zimbabwe is deeply grateful to our dedicated partners—the Royal College of Surgeons of England, CURE International UK, and ZANE UK—for making this impactful training possible. Together, we are building a brighter future for healthcare in Zimbabwe and beyond, offering surgical care, the love of Jesus, and hope to patients who would otherwise have limited options.
Please consider making a donation and being part of a child’s healing journey today!
About the CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe
Established in April 2021, CURE Zimbabwe is the first and only hospital in the country of 14 million people to provide orthopedic care for disabilities such as clubfoot, bowed legs, and knock knees to children regardless of their economic status. The teaching hospital has 18 beds, three operating theaters, and an outpatient clinic. The hospital was refurbished by the Zimbabwe Orthopedic Trust in partnership with the Zimbabwean government and is located adjacent to United Bulawayo Hospital in Bulawayo.
