The role of the Pinelands Orthotic and Prosthetic Centre in disability empowerment

As International Prosthetics and Orthotics Day is observed on Wednesday, November 5, the Orthotic and Prosthetic Centre (OPC) in Pinelands shares its role in empowering persons with disabilities.

Nokuthula Yonke, 24, from Lansdowne, has been a patient with the centre for more than 20 years. Ms Yonke was raised in foster care. She was born with level 4 Spina Bifida.

“I was born with both legs, but due to my disability, my health has been going up and down. I lost my first leg when I was a year and six months, and now I am a double below-the-knee amputee,” she said.

She received her first prosthetic leg at the age of 5 through an outreach clinic to Maitland Cottage Hospital in the early 90s. 

With the help of these prostheses, the Lansdowne local has gone on to compete in pageantry, earning First Princess at the Miss Wheelchair South Africa 2021 and playing professional international sport in provincial and national colours in Wheelchair Basketball, Shotput, discus, and adaptive surfing, among other achievements. She is also a full-time student.  

“Prosthetics have improved my life so much as an athlete and a part of society. I can do so many things I never imagined I could do, such as hiking and walking more than 10-20km from one place to another place. I am able to ride the bike in the gym, pick up weights,” she said.

Ms Yonke still receives ongoing care from OPC, with pin lock prostheses made to fit her active lifestyle.

The OPC Facility Manager, Bongani Mlambo, said they treat a variety of ailments in the management of disability, pain, and injury.

“The Orthotic and Prosthetic Centre in Pinelands is the provincial Department of Health and Wellness centre that services the province with orthotic, prosthetic and footwear services, excluding the Eden region where these services are outsourced to a private service provider,” he says.

Mr Mlambo said that the centre works on referrals from several hospitals and facilities across the province. They treat patients with ailments and injuries, including scoliosis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury, clubfoot, hip dysplasia, athletes with injuries such as ankle sprain or shin splint, diabetic foot, arthritis, amputations, trauma, chronic pain management, and other foot deformities.

“The facility manufactures aids from scratch, specially customised to the needs and body of the patient. They also offer ready-to-purchase aides procured from a local supplier."

For Orthotic services, patients are referred from Community Health Care Centres, Primary Health Care Centres, Community Organisations, Geriatric Services, Insurance providers, Government organisations, Pediatric services, private and non-profit organisations.

For Prosthetic services, you need a referral from the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre Amputation clinic or the Groote Schuur Hospital Amputation clinic.

Visit your local primary health care facility for a referral to access services.