Issa lost his left leg above the knee a year ago. Mycetoma, a chronic subcutaneous skin infection caused by bacteria and fungi, lead to tumour-like lesions. It is initially painless and often results in late diagnosis. Treatment can be difficult to obtain, long and expensive and often amputation is the only viable option, particularly in countries like Chad, where it is endemic. This is what happened to Issa, who required his amputation at just 13 years old. He has been on crutches ever since, unable to keep up with the activities of his peers. He asked the staff at Guinebor 2 hospital whether they could make him a leg.

One of the staff at the Guinebor centre is Roger Hamlet, a UK-trained Prosthetist/Orthotist. He is raising funds to set up a unit to support patients in the region with the provision and fitting of prosthetic limbs. A brilliant and ambitious undertaking. Roger is a family friend, and I wish him all the best with this admirable undertaking.