LG donates Four Million Shillings to help amputees get back on their feet

L-R, Janghoon Chung (MD LG Electronics), John Mugo (Beneficially),  Mr. Song Ho Bae (President of LG Electronics Labor Union)  Choi Seo Dong (Prosthetist PCEA Kikuyu Hosp

LG Electronics has reaffirmed its financial support to P.C.E.A Kikuyu hospital’s orthopedic rehabilitation unit for the 12^th year by donating four million shillings to the hospital.

The funds will help the unit acquire prosthetics, pay bills for needy orthopedic patients as well as create awareness on the plight of persons with physical impairments.

LG supports between 50 to100 prosthetics cases every year and this year’s donation will see the total number of beneficiaries pass the 900 mark.

Mr. Sang Ho Bae, President of LG electronics Labor Union noted that the demand for reliable prosthetics far outweighs the supply in the country, a fact that is further complicated by financial constraints of most patients.

“More than half a million of these, that is 500,000, are in Kenya and the number is rising every year. Many people do not know is that those amputees who use prosthetics usually require several replacements over their lifetime,” added Mr. Bae during the Cheque handover ceremony at the hospital.

He invited more well-wishers to join hands with the company and announced that LG will soon be launching an Annual Charity Walk that will focus on fundraising and creating awareness about Limb Loss in Kenya.

PCEA Kikuyu Hospital receives over 1000 cases annually from across the country and handles about 800 procedures annually. Sadly, more than half of these patients are not able to acquire prosthetics owing to the high cost of treatment.

The hospital’s CEO Mr. Patrick Kimpiatu applauded LG Electronics for committing to the partnership that has over the years seen hundreds of people with amputated legs and arms from across the country supported to acquire artificial limbs.

“Disability is never a life choice and this is why we should always come together to support those who have been affected to get back on their feet, both literally and in other ways. I have personally witnessed LG’s contribution changing people’s lives and helping them get back to playing an active role in the society as contributors to the economy,” said Mr. Kimpiatu.

The average cost for above knee prosthesis for both adults and children is about Sh 50,000 while below knee prosthesis for both is about Sh30,000.

The most common causes of physical impairments include accidents and diseases. Road accidents are the major cause of limb loss in Kenya. The most affordable means of transport is motor cycles, which leads to congestion in major towns. This congestion leads to infringement of traffic rules and hence causes accidents.

The existing partnership between LG and P.C.E.A Kikuyu hospital is currently in its 12^th year since LG got on board, and the orthopedic patients who have been benefiting from the donations to see a better tomorrow.