OADCPH (African Organization for the Development of Centers for Persons with Disabilities) hosted a delegation from AWA (ALM With Africa) of Airbus Defense & Space from September 29 to October 2, 2014 in Lomé. This delegation consisted of Mr. Christian Desagulier (AWA project leader) and Mr. Ghislain de la Sayette (Africa Director).

The purpose of this visit was to share with the rehabilitation actors the Additive Manufacturing Processes (scanning, digital design, 3D printing manufacturing) employed by Airbus and which are usable in the manufacture of quality prostheses and orthoses, in record time and at reduced costs.

The exchange meeting organized on 30/09 by OADCPH on this occasion, brought together 37 representatives of the main national and international rehabilitation actors working in the field of disability in Togo (see list of participants). After presenting the company and the 3D printing system, Airbus presented the teleprosthesis, as well as the 3D-printed joints.

This meeting was followed by individual meetings with the CNAO (Centre National d’Appareillage Orthopédique de Lomé), the FSH (Fonds Spécial du CICR pour les personnes Handicapées), the ENAM (Ecole Nationale des Auxiliaires Médicaux de Lomé), Handicap International, the WHO, WoeLab, FETAPH (Fédération Togolaise des Associations de Personnes Handicapées), APROSA (Action pour la Promotion de la Santé)

On 1 October, the delegation visited the APROSA clinic in Kpalimé, an orthopedic fitting center located 150 km from Lomé.

At the end of this visit, the following was agreed between OADCPH and AWA:

A sub-regional workshop on additive manufacturing It will be organized by OADCPH and will take place at ENAM in Lomé in March 2015. This workshop will bring together about thirty diversified actors (computer engineers, orthoprosthetic technicians) coming from different French-speaking African countries. Duration of the workshop:

5 days.

Product :

  • Fitting of two lower limb amputees.
  • OADCPH will calculate an approximate budget for the workshop
  • The CAD training module will be given in parallel to the ENAM students
  • An MOU will be written by Christian Desagulier

The contribution of Airbus will be in kind:

  • project manager and technician Christian Desagulier,
  • a trainer technician specialized in CAD,
  • the machine (3D printer) will be provided by Airbus.