‘Why bridging academic, clinical practice in prosthetics, orthotics is pivotal across Africa’

Determined to develop globally competitive prosthetics and orthotics professionals across Africa, IfeanHealth recently hosted stakeholders and selected beneficiaries of its scholar programme ahead of their internship placements in Lagos and Enugu.

According to the company, the Scholars programme aims to bridge academic learning with real-world clinical practice and marks a key milestone in the company’s growing commitment to human capital development for the company

The event, designed to provide cross-regional clinical exposure and hands-on professional training, brought together directors, healthcare leaders, and stakeholders alongside the newly selected scholars in an atmosphere focused on mentorship, professional development, and continental collaboration.

Ejike Anih, managing director/CEO of IfeanHealth, said that the scholarship and scholar programme is modelled on his personal and professional experiences as an alumnus of the Management Development Programme (MDP) at Abbott – an American multinational medical devices and global health care company based in the United States.

Anih said that the initiative was designed not only as a national development effort but as a strategic platform for advancing prosthetics and orthotics capacity across Africa.

He said the programme continues to position itself as a talent pipeline for emerging rehabilitation professionals across Africa while encouraging the scholars to remain committed to discipline, consistency, and purpose, stressing that impactful professional journeys are built through persistence and strong values.

The managing director further highlighted professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality as essential principles guiding their internship experience.

The five scholars selected for the internship phase emerged from the 11 outstanding winners of the IfeanHealth Scholarship Programme. The final cohort reflects a widening African reach, including a scholar from Kenya, underscoring the programme’s growing cross-border impact and its vision of building a connected ecosystem of prosthetics and orthotics professionals across the continent.

Speaking at the event, Eva James, programme coordinator and director, Strategic Partnerships & Impact Initiatives, described the programme as “a transition from selection to responsibility” and “from potential to performance,”.

James explained that the programme serves as a bridge between academic learning and real-world clinical exposure, equipping scholars with structured mentorship, discipline, and practical experience required to excel in prosthetics and orthotics practice across diverse healthcare systems.

Other IfeanHealth executives reinforced the organisation’s culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation, explaining how the work of each department contributes to the delivery of high-quality prosthetics and orthotics services. Through interactive mentorship sessions, they shared practical insights on professionalism, ethical practice, leadership, effective communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, patient-centred care, and continuous professional development, encouraging the scholars to view themselves not only as future clinicians but as future leaders who will help shape rehabilitation services across Africa.

The selected scholars, drawn from Nigeria and Kenya, will begin their internship placements in Lagos and Enugu, where they will gain immersive clinical and operational experience within IfeanHealth’s ecosystem, further strengthening the organisation’s role in advancing prosthetics and orthotics development across Africa and beyond.

During an interactive session, scholars shared how they discovered IfeanHealth through digital platforms, referrals, and professional recommendations, reflecting the organisation’s growing visibility and credibility within the global healthcare training space.

At the end of the programme, participants renewed their commitment toward advancing healthcare innovation, strengthening professional networks, and contributing to a more connected and future-ready prosthetics and orthotics landscape across Africa.

Dignitaries present at the event included several directors and stakeholders, including Chijioke Ahamefula, director, Brand & Marketing; Chimela Chijioke, senior manager, Operations; Dauda Mohammed Sani, head of Department, Physiotherapy; Lawrence Katden, head of department, Prosthetics and Orthotics; Stephen Nnaji, head of department, Patient Access; Mary Ebong, manager, Human Resources; and Divine Abu, brand specialist.