Services for People with Physical Impairments

view large Image Thomas Ndagijimana selling drinks in his mobile kiosk - a tricycle.
Thomas Ndagijimana (30) selling drinks in his mobile kiosk in Kigali/Rwanda. As a consequence from Polio, his legs are disfigured and crippled, and he is unable to walk. © CBM
The overwhelming majority of people with physical disabilities, about 80 percent, live in developing countries. Most are poor and have no or limited access to health care. CBM works towards improving the opportunities for physically disabled persons, particularly for children and those who live in poverty.

Ensuring better medical care
The main concern of CBM is to provide physical rehabilitation services. CBM is therefore involved in training programmes for orthopaedic personnel, including physical therapists, medical students and surgeons. CBM also supports the establishment of adequate facilities for physically disabled people, including
  • orthopaedic clinics
  • rehabilitation centres
  • vocational training centres
  • schools


Provision of orthopaedic devices
In addition, CBM helps make available orthopaedic devices like crutches, wheelchairs, and prostheses, through the training of orthopaedic workshop technicians.

In Figures

In 2006,
  • 188,399 (2005: 118,967) orthopaedic patients received medical care and rehabilitation services
  • 25,197 (17,499) operations were conducted to alleviate the effects of physical impairment
  • 31,390 (24,178) orthopaedic devices, like callipers, crutches, prostheses and wheelchairs, were distributed
  • 137,880 (102,714) physically disabled persons received educational and social care
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Projects worldwide

Projects worldwide