News Release

Caregivers Taught Latest Wheelchair-handling Skills

Basic Wheelchair Handling Skills Training Provided by LDS Charities

LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is partnering with MAARDEC (Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre) in providing trainings to wheelchair services providers and caregivers.

MAARDEC is a Nigerian local non-governmental organization.

During the training, the Church delivered 245 wheelchairs to MAADEC, which assembles and distributes them to those needing mobility aids. This included various forms of wheelchairs that will aid the requirements of the physically challenged in their different categories.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) developed a Wheelchair Service Training Package for caregivers in 2013. The purpose of the training package is to develop the minimum skills and knowledge required by personnel involved in wheelchair service delivery. This effort will improve the mobility of recipients.

"I am grateful to the Church for training me, my colleagues and other wheelchair technicians,” said Cosmos Okolie, CEO of MAADEC, in his thank-you message to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We have over the years given out wheelchairs without taking into consideration the weight and shape of the recipients. This training is an eye opener".    

The training was attended by wheelchair technicians from different parts of the country. At the end of the workshop, attendees were given certificates of course completion and participation.                                                                                                                                                                          

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