Phnom Penh’s Component Factory / Battambang’s Prosthetic Workshop

Synopsis

Two films demonstrating the technical aspects of manufacturing polypropylene components of prostheses and their use in Cambodia. The orthopaedic programme of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Cambodia began in 1991 when the ICRC set up a polypropylene component factory in Phnom Penh. Components are despatched to the ICRC prosthetic workshop in Battambang, near the most heavily mined area of the country, and to workshops run by other organisations involved in the physical rehabilitation of mine victims. Because of the expense and difficulty in obtaining high-quality materials, the ICRC in 1988 started to manufacture prostheses from polypropylene, a material that is cheap, recyclable, easy to obtain and to store. The prostheses made from it are light but strong. Procedures are standardised so that amputees can have their prostheses repaired or adjusted in workshops operated by different organisations. The ICRC now uses polypropylene throughout the world.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 22 min.

Year of production

1998

Availability

Hire; 2000 hire: £10.00 (inclusive)

Subjects

Engineering; Medical sciences

Keywords

Cambodia; landmines, anti-personnel; orthopaedic equipment; prostheses

Distributor

Name

British Red Cross Society

Web

http://www.redcross.org.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7201 5025

Fax

information@redcross.org.uk

Address

Information Services
9 Grosvenor Crescent
London
SW1X 7EJ