The Rwanda Society of Prosthetists and Orthotists (RSPO) will bring prosthetics and orthotics professionals together on Saturday 7 November 2026 at the University of Rwanda’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS). The gathering is billed as a chance for professionals to connect, exchange ideas and shape the future of P&O across the region.
Regional participation
The event is already drawing interest from beyond Rwanda. In an announcement shared on LinkedIn, an East African P&O organisation said its team members Shammah Wema and John Ouma will attend and invited other delegates to connect with them. “The future of prosthetics is shaped by the people who make it possible,” the post said.
Further details of the programme, speakers and registration had not been published at the time of writing. Practitioners planning to attend should contact RSPO directly.
A natural home for the profession
The venue is significant. The University of Rwanda runs an ISPO-accredited prosthetics and orthotics training programme, and its P&O department has become an important source of trained clinicians for Rwanda and its neighbours. Holding the RSPO event on campus puts students and early-career practitioners in the same room as experienced colleagues.
Timed for International Day of Prosthetics and Orthotics
The meeting falls in the same week as the International Day of Prosthetics and Orthotics. This year’s IPOD 2026 theme puts PEOPLE at the heart of prosthetics and orthotics, which matches the RSPO event’s focus on the professionals behind the devices.
IMEA CPO Perspective
The points below are IMEA CPO’s own reading.
- National societies matter. Professional bodies such as RSPO give P&O a voice with ministries, insurers and universities. They also set expectations for standards and continuing education, which is vital as Rwanda expands rehabilitation within its health system.
- Cross-border networks are growing. East Africa’s P&O workforce is small, and many clinicians trained in Tanzania, Kenya or Rwanda now work across borders. Events that bring the region together help share referral pathways, components and practical know-how.
- Students should attend. With the event held at CMHS, it is a good opportunity for P&O students to meet employers and mentors. Initiatives such as POOTS Africa’s student coordinator network show how quickly student voices are growing.
- Share your report. IMEA CPO would welcome photos, key messages and outcomes from the day for a follow-up story.
Suggested hyperlinks / sources
- LinkedIn announcement mentioning Shammah Wema and John Ouma’s attendance at the RSPO event (November 2026)
- ISPO: University of Rwanda accredited training programme
- IPOD 2026 Theme Puts PEOPLE at the Heart of Prosthetics and Orthotics (IMEA CPO)
- TATCOT Tanzania: The Institution That Helped Build Africa’s P&O Workforce (IMEA CPO)