Taibah University in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, closed its six-day Prosthetics and Orthotics Week on 6 November 2026, according to a LinkedIn post by Yazeed Alharbi, a prosthetics and orthotics student at the university. Alharbi, who took part as a speaker, said his session covered three common foot conditions and the role of orthoses and insoles in managing them.
What happened at Taibah University’s P&O Week?
Alharbi wrote that the event ran for six days and ended on 6 November in Madinah. His post does not list the full programme, the other speakers, the audience or the organising department, and IMEA CPO has not found an official programme or university statement. Details below therefore come from his account alone.
He said he delivered an educational presentation on flatfoot, foot drop and clubfoot. He described the focus as how orthotic devices and orthotic insoles help manage these conditions and improve functional mobility. He described the experience as a chance to apply academic knowledge, engage with the community and build communication and health-education skills, and he thanked the university, the organisers and fellow participants.
Why do flatfoot, foot drop and clubfoot matter to CPOs?
The three conditions cover very different patients. Flatfoot is often managed with insoles or foot orthoses, foot drop commonly with ankle-foot orthoses, and clubfoot is a congenital condition in which bracing is part of long-term care. Alharbi’s post does not describe the clinical content of his talk, so this article does not report what advice was given at the event.
IMEA CPO Perspective
Student-led public education is a small but useful part of building awareness of orthotic care in Saudi Arabia, where universities are training a local P&O workforce. Events like this give future CPOs practice in explaining devices to non-specialists, and they can help families and referrers understand when to seek an orthotist. IMEA CPO would welcome an official programme or photographs from Taibah University and will update this report if they become available. Alharbi also lists digital design in prosthetics among his interests, a topic IMEA CPO follows closely.
Suggested hyperlinks / sources
- Yazeed Alharbi on LinkedIn (source post, 7 November 2026)
- Taibah University: Department of Prosthetics and Assistive Devices
- IMEA CPO: Saudi Arabia orthotics and prosthetics country profile
- IMEA CPO: O&P Middle East News