The buildings which grew into Kagando Hospital started out as a Government Leprosy Settlement, so it is not surprising that Rehabilitation has always been important part of the work done here. Some of the people treated here in the 1960s still come regularly for review and medication.
The physiotherapists are a vital part of the team assessing patients, dealing with all ages and conditions ranging from fractures and arthritis to strokes, cerebral palsy and respiratory problems. Their input is useful on ward rounds when deciding how to support patients and their families for discharge home, and for following up these patients.
There is an impressive workshop with a huge quantity of discarded bits and pieces which are somehow transformed into walking aids, wheelchairs, crutches and specialised seating for children with disabilities. All these have to be designed to cope with the rough terrain; no tarmac roads or concrete floors here!
There is provision for fitting prosthetic limbs, which are individually made from tubes of specialised plastic, donated by the Rotary club several years ago. These are measured and formed in a hot kiln then tested before the arduous process of learning to walk again can begin. An aged industrial sewing machine is used to make rubber sandals for people living with the effects of leprosy, to protect feet which can no longer detect thorns or scratches.