United to win: German prosthetics manufacturer to open center in Mykolaiv with AI technology and free prostheses for nine patients
The German company "Horus Prosthetics GmbH" plans to establish a prosthetics center in Mykolaiv that specializes in producing lower limb prostheses. They employ a cutting-edge approach with artificial intelligence that enables them to craft anatomically accurate prostheses within 90–120 minutes. As a gesture of goodwill, they will provide prostheses free of charge to nine patients.
The Mykolaiv City Council's press service reports this.
What is the problem?
According to Iryna Shamrai, the director of the health care department at the Mykolaiv City Council, this initiative is essential for the city. This is because, as a result of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine's territory, approximately 15,000 soldiers and 1,000 civilians received medical treatment and prosthetics in Mykolaiv and other parts of the country.
As the human body changes over time, the prosthesis will also require modifications and adjustments. Until now, there have been no opportunities for this in Mykolaiv.
What is the solution?
So, representatives from the German company Horus Prosthetics GmbH, which specializes in producing lower limb prosthetics, visited Mykolaiv.
"There are cases when people received prostheses in other regions and cannot use them in connection with the changes that are taking place in the cult. Therefore, today in the city of Mykolaiv, to receive a whole complex of such services: prosthetics, rehabilitation, treatment of somatic diseases in one place — it will be a big positive for our patients," Iryna Shamrai says.
Changing lives through technology: How custom prosthetic covers support recovery of Ukrainian veterans with amputations
Hanna Montavon, a partner at Horus Prosthetics GmbH, reported that the mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkovych, visited the startup hub in Berlin in April 2024 to showcase the regional center to potential investors.
"He talked about the city's openness to international investments. In addition, Mykolaiv proved itself positively as a city with a very active anti-corruption policy in July. And this became a decisive factor for a Berlin company to come here and discuss the possibility of cooperation and building its business here," Anna Montavon said.
Photo: Mykolaiv City Council
How does it work?
As of August 8, the health care department of Mykolaiv City Council has already started to form a patient register.
Photo: Mykolaiv City Council
"We need to build this industry in our city so that our people can replace the prosthesis that wears out in time and receive rehabilitation in time where they live. We need to explore all possibilities to meet the needs of our patients and get them back to full life," Iryna Shamrai says.
According to the department, the German company plans to create a prosthesis center in Mykolaiv. It will work within the framework of the state program, which covers the production of prostheses for patients.
The city council secretary, Dmytro Falko, notes that the cost of the prosthesis is significantly reduced thanks to the latest technologies used by the specialists of Horus Prosthetics GmbH.
Photo: Mykolaiv City Council
"The idea is to create this company's prosthetics center in Mykolaiv. They will provide all the necessary equipment and knowledge, train staff, and cooperate with our doctors. On the one hand, people who need it will receive quality service, and on the other hand, we will have an example of good cooperation with foreign investors," Dmytro Falko says.
Additionally, on August 8, the German company's consultant for lower extremity amputations conducted a master class for the hospital's rehabilitation staff.
During the event, the specialist shared his experience and information about working with patients.
For reference:
At the regional hospital for war veterans in Rivne, the first robotic simulators in Ukraine have been installed to aid wounded soldiers in relearning how to walk and use their hands. This groundbreaking equipment is a major development for Ukrainian healthcare.
It was also reported that a new Superhumans Center reconstructive surgery school building was opened in Lviv.
Furthermore, a rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery center has been established at Odesa Hospital. This center caters explicitly to military personnel and veterans who have been injured amid a full-scale invasion and need assistance.