LG gives a new lease of life to amputees in Kenya

(L-R ) Dr. Michael Maru clinical services manager, PCEA Kikuyu hospital explains to
Taeick Son Managing Director LG Electronics how artificial limbs work . Looking on is
Ms. Velma Akeno one of the beneficiaries of the company’s program at the hospital’s
orthopedic unit. LG Electronics presented a cheque donation of sh3million which will
go towards subsidizing the cost of artificial limbs to make them affordable
 to patients from humble backgrounds from across the country.
LG also donated 10 television screens to the institution.

It is stating the obvious to say that in addition to helping improve lives, philanthropic ventures and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities are an excellent way for a company to grow its brand.

LG is one such corporate that is helping to lead the way with its highly efficient products and CSR activities that are helping to redefine the company both as an innovator and humanitarian crusader.

The company’s involvement in charitable causes has continued to set it apart from profit-driven competitors and helped improve countless lives.

One such initiative here in Kenya is its nine yearlong partnership with PCEA Kikuyu hospital’s orthopedic rehabilitation unit. The company has been providing artificial limbs to patients from humble backgrounds from across the country with amputated legs or arms.

It can be very traumatizing and life changing when someone suddenly loses their limbs. Losing a part of self can be a devastating experience. The sadness and confusion one may be feeling is not self-pity or feeling sorry for oneself. This is a great loss that needs to be treated as such.

One can lose all or part of an arm or leg from a number of reasons including traumatic injuries from accidents, diabetes, cancer or even birth defects.

If you are missing an arm or leg, an artificial limb can sometimes replace it. The device, which is called prosthesis, can help you to perform daily activities such as walking, eating, or dressing. Some artificial limbs let you function nearly as well as before.

LG’s partnership with PCEA Kikuyu hospital has seen nearly 600 patients from humble backgrounds get assistance to acquire artificial limbs which would otherwise be out of reach for them.

This program has helped many get back on their normal lives, people who would otherwise be greatly affected especially if their line work was particularly dependent on the function of the lost limb.

The company recently presented Sh3Million cheque to the hospital’s management as part of this year’s sponsorship. Over 50 more patients are set to benefit this year with the sponsorship going into subsidizing the cost of limbs to make them affordable.

This year, also as part of community engagement, the company also donated 10 LG Television screens to the institution which will be mounted in the orthopedic wards.

PCEA Kikuyu hospital’s orthopaedic unit is located in the outskirts of Nairobi and specializes in rehabilitative orthopaedic surgery for persons with Physical impairments and general orthopaedics.