CPO Tumaini Matandala

Tumaini Matandala embarked on his academic journey at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2015.

Tumaini was accredited as an International Certified Prosthetist & Orthotist (CPO) by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) in 2016. This prestigious certification further solidified his standing as a skilled professional.

He has involvement in the Zanzibar Out-reach Programme (ZOP), Mnazi Mmoja Hospital where he played a vital role in the treatment of congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), commonly known as clubfoot, and other disabilities affecting children. His dedicated efforts and expertise greatly contributed to the success of the pediatric rehabilitation unit during his one-year tenure in 2015.

He was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the functional Prosthetics and Orthotic Unit at Consolata Ikonda Hospital in the Makete-Njombe region. He successfully managed and operated this unit for two years and six months. During his tenure, Tumaini also collaborated with the Tanzania Clubfoot Organization (TCO) under the Miracle Feet program to initiate the Clubfoot Clinic, aiming to provide specialized care to individuals with clubfoot.

Driven by his passion for humanitarian work, Tumaini joined the Humanitarian Emergency and Recovery program in the refugee camps of Kigoma Region. Within this program, he served as a Community-Based Rehabilitation Officer (CBR Officer) and Orthopedic Tech-Manager at HelpAge International, working under the United Nations for Humanitarian Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). In this capacity, he supervised the prescription and distribution of rehabilitative assistive devices to people with special needs (PSNs) and people with disabilities (PWDs). Additionally, Tumaini played a pivotal role in the Mobility for All project, a collaborative effort with the Community-Based Rehabilitation Hospital in Tanzania (CCBRT), focusing on the fabrication of artificial lower limb prostheses using 3D technology for lower limb amputees in the Kigoma Region. His contribution to this project lasted for one year.

In July 2019, Tumaini was invited to establish the new Prosthetic and Orthotics Unit within the Rehabilitative Department at Iringa Region Referral Hospital (IRRH). He played a vital role in setting up and providing essential services through this unit, while also advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities in the region. He was contracted as an external examiner by Tanzania Training Center for Orthopedic technologists (TATCOT).

He is now a Tutorial Assistant (TA) at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in November 2022. Within the Biomedical Engineering unit, he actively contributes to the academic and professional development of students, sharing his knowledge and experiences to shape the next generation of professionals in the field.