Devastating natural disasters such as the severe earthquake in Turkey remind us how important a wellfunctioning medical technology infrastructure is. Thanks to their relief efforts, Ottobock and the Ottobock Global Foundation have succeeded in providing numerous disabled people with prostheses and orthoses on site. They were supported by the Turkish patient care companies Bilimop and Proklinik, which have been part of the global Ottobock.care network since August.

Digital fitting solutions for Earthquake Victims

“Aysima ist finally able to smile again, Fatma is taking her first steps on her new prostheses and Aziz is looking forward to drive his tractor again. After the severe earthquake in February, their medical care is like a new beginning for those affected,” explains Ömer Deveci, Senior Technical Implementation Manager at Ottobock. Have a look at this video!

Ömer Deveci has been involved in the relief efforts for the earthquake victims from the very beginning. Together with CPO Uli Maier, he has planned and implemented digital training courses for O&P professionals in Turkey. The participants used the expertise they gained during training to treat the first earthquake victims in the mobile patient care and workshop containers in Adana.

In the meantime, the digital care solutions TF Design and MyFit TT are used throughout Turkey, as Ömer Deveci explains: “Thanks to the virtual product configuration and data transfer to our production sites, we are always flexible and can treat our patients anywhere.” 89 users in Turkey, who have received their treatment at Ottobock and Ottobock.care, are already benefiting from the 3D scan and the 3D-printed test sockets.

Uli Maier and Ömer Deveci presented the results at the 11th International Congress of Prosthetics & Orthotics in Ankara at the end of October and shared them with experts from more than 400 clinics and numerous students.“ The great interest in our work shows us once again that digital solutions will continue to be increasingly in demand in the future,” sums up Ömer Deveci. Three further digitization projects have emerged from the relief campaign for the earthquake victims in order to meet the high demand on the Turkish market.

Common Paths

Ottobock already has a long-term partnership with the Turkish orthopaedic technology companies Bilimop and Proklinik, which they sealed in August. “From the components business to joint development projects for diabetes to the launch of the neuromodulation suit Exopulse Mollii Suit, we have successfully advanced numerous joint projects to date. I am looking forward to many more joint projects,” says Orkun Taskin, Managing Director Ottobock Turkey.

As holistic providers in the fields of prosthetics and orthotics, they bring extensive expertise to the Ottobock.care network. “Together, we are advancing our technology and care offerings in order to optimize the standard of care in the long term and to enable even more people in Turkey to receive high-quality treatment,” says Tim Schäfer, Regional President EEMEA at Ottobock.

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Bilimop is headquartered in Ankara and employs 37 people. Since its founding in 1998, the patient care company has treated more than 10,000 patients under the management of CPO Osman Söyler. Ottobock now holds 70 percent of the shares.

Proklinik was founded in 2007 by co-owner and CPO Hüseyin Laçin. At a total of three locations in Istanbul, the orthopaedic technology company, which also has 37 employees, offers a comprehensive range of care services that are trusted by more than 12,000 patients.

“Our expertise in orthopaedic technology is more in demand than ever after the severe earthquake. We still feel this every day. We are now joining forces to meet this challenge so that we can help the people affected,” says Orkun Taskin.

In our Newsticker, we regularly provide information on the current development of the Ottobock Global Foundation's relief campaign for people in need – relief for earthquake victims. You can also follow our social media activities on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We are looking forward to a Like!