Nigeria to establish 3D prosthetics training centre in Abuja

The Nigerian Federal Government has allocated funds to establish a state-of-the-art 3D prosthetics training centre at the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board (MRTB) in Abuja. The initiative aims to modernize prosthetics and orthotics services, improve rehabilitation outcomes, and expand access to assistive technology.

The project is part of a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) initiative titled “Transferring Japanese 3D-Printed Prosthetics Technology to Support Landmine Victims in Africa,” which is funded by the Government of Japan. The technology, developed by Instalimb Japan, utilizes Artificial Intelligence-driven processes, digital scanning, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to create prosthetic devices.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, noted that the digital workflow is intended to reduce costs, shorten production timelines, and improve design consistency. This is expected to address barriers such as high costs, long distances to treatment centers, and shortages of skilled professionals. Dr. Salako emphasized that while the technology is a significant advancement, it must remain patient-centered and complement professional clinical assessments and follow-up care.