A partnership between NCIC and Knowledge for Change, is repurposing nearly new Orthotics, reducing waste and supporting better health outcomes for African patients.
Archie Veale, Orthotist at NCIC, formed the partnership after he noticed nearly new orthotics were going to landfill as NHS guidelines prevented them from being reused. Orthotics include braces, splints and supports.
Archie explains: “I reached out to a former lecturer at the university where I trained, Dr Louise Ackers, who chairs Knowledge for Change, a charity working to improve healthcare and education for disadvantaged communities in low‑and middle‑income countries. Through Dr Ackers, I was able to form a partnership with Timothy (Tim) Isingoma and Jackson Murungi, Orthopaedic Technologists from Uganda.
“I first arranged for disused Orthotics to be sent to Africa for use in Uganda and Tanzania four years ago and we have developed a learning partnership since.
“In late 2025, I travelled to Uganda for six weeks to work alongside Tim and Jackson. Working on the ground allowed me to see which Orthotics were most useful, and which weren’t, which will help me tailor what to send going forward. I also gained hands‑on experience treating patients with conditions like we see in the UK, but with much less resources available. It encourages lateral thinking and diversification of skills”.
Meanwhile, Tim, who is also an amputee, has spent three months in the UK through a Commonwealth Fellowship which has taken place at the University of Salford. During his visit, he shadowed Archie at NCIC, learning new approaches to diabetes prevention, orthotic management and wider clinical practice.
Tim said: “I have enjoyed working with Archie and learning how they make Orthotics and Prosthetics. I have been able to attend lots of different sessions while I’ve been here to take home, like diabetes and podiatry, so we can teach people how to look after themselves better to prevent diabetic foot.”
The sustainability project which began with repurposed orthotics has now formed an ongoing partnership and friendship which supports better outcomes for patients in Africa.
The partnership is going from strength to strength, with Archie, Tim, and Jackson introducing newborn health checks at their health centre in Uganda. These checks, which are routine in the UK, have never been routinely carried out there. The success caught the attention of Uganda’s Ministry of Health, who has since committed to rolling out newborn checks nationally.
Archie added: “The partnership we have continues to grow and it is exciting to think where it could lead as we continue to work and learn from each other.”