A recipient of a prosthetic hand is being assisted by a member of the foundation in general Santos City. Photo courtesy of IN-4 foundation.
A recipient of a prosthetic hand is being assisted by a member of the foundation in general Santos City. Photo courtesy of IN-4 foundation.

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte,(PIA) – Two international non-government organizations – LN-4 Foundation and Kiwanis International – will be distributing prosthetic hands for free to qualified amputees at the Divine Word Hospital (tentative venue) this city on February 12, the Tacloban-leg event coordinator said.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, businessman Ronnie Ramirez, owner of Joebz Tacloban said that they are looking for some 40-50 amputees with residual limb that extends at least 10 cm from the elbow or 14 cm from the armpit so the prosthetic hand will fit in.

“We are encouraging our fellow Taclobanons and Eastern Visayans who have this particular disability to avail of this rare opportunity as one prosthetic hand costs more or less P300,000,” Ramirez said.

He added that the Foundation and their sponsors produced this artificial hand at a minimal cost as they endeavor to “give hope – give hand by providing functional prosthetic hands at no cost at all to recipients.”

“The arm extension has three stationary/fixed fingers and two latches where an amputee could be able to hold a pen and write again, hold a glass with handle, comb hair and other similar light activities,” he said.

Ramirez further said that anyone may avail of this including children who are at least seven years old, without wound or pain being felt in said part of the body. However, six year-old children may also qualify for as long as they can already control the use of the prosthetic hand.

Shown in a video documentary of one of its projects in the country that a recipient-amputee could easily put on and take off the prosthetic hand in seconds and learn how to use in less than 10 minutes.

Ramirez’s group, who volunteered services for this charitable activity in their personal capacity, is also encouraging the public to help disseminate this information to fill in the slots, the earlier the better.

“We are also tapping the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to look for possible recipients to come up on time with at least 40 so the sponsors will be able to prepare the prosthetic hands,” he added.

The INGOs will also conduct the same activity for free in Lavezares, Northern Samar on February 10-11 and in Ormoc City on February 13 for another 100 and 50 recipients, respectively.

Application forms are available at Joebz Tacloban,Salazar St., Tacloban City or one may text or call Mr. Ramirez at his cellphone number 09173254343.

The Tacloban-leg prosthetic hand free distribution of LN-4 Foundation and Kiwanis International is also in partnership with the Tacloban City Police Office and the Philippine Information Agency 8. (aen/PIA-8)