rehabilitation department
An estimated 1 million people in Tanzania live with a physical impairment. However, there are just a few centres where specialised rehabilitative services are offered in Tanzania. CCBRT Disability Hospital is one of the few centres where children with disabilities receive comprehensive rehabilitative services.
Services
Comprehensive services for long-term physical rehabilitation
CCBRT Rehabilitation Department offers a wide range of services, including:
- consultation,
- screening,
- surgery,
- physical therapy,
- tailor-made orthopaedic devices.
Children are the priority of the rehabilitation department, and comprise around 90% of all patients seen.
Orthopaedic unit
Surgeons operate on a variety of physical impairments:
- clubfoot
- bow legs / knock knees
- cleft lip/cleft palate
- burn scar contractures
- cerebral palsy and paralytic contractures
- other congenital deformities
Conservative treatment, which does not require surgery, is also available for different kinds of orthopaedic problems. This includes treating children with clubfoot using the Ponsetti method, a non-surgical approach using manipulation and casting.
Orthopaedic workshop
Qualified orthopaedic technologists design and manufacture a wide range of devices such as callipers, splints, crutches and artificial limbs to help improve patients' mobility. Wherever possible, local materials are used. CCBRT also produces tailor-made mobility and positioning aids like special seats, standing frames and walking devices that support the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and other long-term impairments.
Physiotherapy
Specialists provide physiotherapy for patients after orthopaedic surgery and for those whose abilities can be improved with exercises. Physiotherapists use manual manipulation and exercises, electrical therapy and infrared treatment to facilitate movements, inhibit abnormal movements, mobilise stiff joints and thereby restore function to the optimal level. 85 per cent of patients at the physiotherapy unit are children.
CCBRT also offers speech, language and occupational therapy.
Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) unit
VVF surgeons conduct operations to cure fistula problems (incontinence), which can occur after prolonged or difficult childbirth. CCBRT is the largest provider of VVF services in Tanzania. In 2012, CCBRT aims to treat around 600 women with VVF.
Collaboration
CCBRT has established effective collaborations with national and international stakeholders in this area, including:
- AMREF
- Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- Women's Dignity
and other partners
