Africa-Press – Cape verde. The administrator of the National Orthopedic and Functional Rehabilitation Center (CENORF), Alberto Afonso, said that the institution wants to take the CENORF Mobile project to all islands in the country and benefit the greatest number of people.
Alberto Afonso, who was speaking to Inforpress to take stock of the year just ended and outline the prospects for the next year, considered that despite the challenges, 2023 was a “very good” year.
“The balance is positive, since we were able to continue the various existing projects, and the CENORF Móvel project allowed us to travel to São Vicente to feel its benefit in practice, understand its importance and also helped us understand what there is there is still something to be corrected and the existing scenario on the island”, he said.
He pointed out that in relation to the “Smile of Children” project, financed by the insurance company Garantia, within the scope of the Garantia Comunidade 2022 award, of which CENORF was the winner, they managed to benefit several children with devices and wheelchair adaptations.
Another aspect that he considered to be a challenge for next year is having a social worker to work with CENORF full-time, in order to provide responses in social terms and improve the provision of the service provided, but also an orthopedic technician.
“In 2024 we want to continue with the CENORF Móvel project to reach the entire national territory, and so far we have only been able to go to São Vicente and Santiago”, highlighted the administrator, who assured that they are working with city councils and local associations so that in 2024 the project will reach Santo Antão.
According to Alberto Afonso, this is a major challenge, as these journeys involve costs in terms of transport, accommodation and food, but also the need to acquire and reinforce raw materials.
For next year, the wheelchair distribution project is also planned to continue in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Cape Verdean Association for the Disabled.
“In the same vein, we are working to create an orthopedic store, because there are people who need something specific, for example a spoon adapted for people who have suffered a stroke.
On the occasion, he considered that the fact that CENORF won the 2023 National Human Rights Award further increases the institution’s responsibility, but also the need to improve internal functioning, motivate employees and mobilize more human and financial resources in order to reach to other municipalities and people who really need it.
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