A silicone liner course in Tanzania has brought together nine participants from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and The Gambia to learn how to make silicone prosthetic liners locally, according to a LinkedIn post describing the course. The training was delivered by Jeff Erenstone, who travelled from the United States, through Operation Namaste.
Why silicone liners matter, and why cost is the barrier
A silicone liner sits between the residual limb and the prosthesis. Foam liners can do a similar job, but the post says silicone liners generally offer greater comfort. Their high cost, however, often puts them out of reach for many patients. The course is aimed at that gap: teaching participants to manufacture liners locally rather than relying on imported products.
How the silicone liner course works
According to the post, the process starts with 3D-printed moulds into which silicone is poured. A fabric sleeve is then added to reinforce the silicone. The photo supplied with the post shows participants watching as silicone is poured into a mould during a practical session.
What happens next
The next step, the post says, is to keep practising these skills at KCMC University and to establish a sustainable supply chain for the materials. If that succeeds, the team aims to provide silicone liners as part of its clinical studies, while continuing to work towards a more affordable overall solution for prosthetic care using 3D technology. These are plans stated by the organisers; no results have been reported yet.
IMEA CPO Perspective
For prosthetists and orthotists across Africa and South Asia, liner cost and supply are a practical problem: a prosthesis that cannot be worn comfortably is often abandoned. A locally made, lower-cost liner could widen access, but only if quality, durability and material supply hold up in routine use. The course’s mix of participants from four African countries suggests the skills may spread beyond one site.
CPOs should watch for what is not yet public: the cost per liner, how the liners perform over time, and how materials will be sourced. Until clinical results are shared, this is a promising capacity-building step rather than proof of an affordable product. Readers may also be interested in our coverage of 3D-printed spinal braces in the Western Cape, in O&P 3D printing news and in lower limb news.
FAQ
What is a silicone liner? A silicone liner acts as an interface between the residual limb and the prosthesis, and generally offers greater comfort than foam liners.
How are the liners made in this course? Silicone is poured into 3D-printed moulds, and a fabric sleeve is added to reinforce it.
Who took part? Nine participants from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and The Gambia.
Suggested hyperlinks / sources
- LinkedIn post on the silicone liner course in Tanzania (supplied to IMEA CPO)
- Operation Namaste on LinkedIn
- Jeff Erenstone on LinkedIn
- KCMC University on LinkedIn
- The O&P EDGE: Operation Namaste launches toolkit for liner fabrication