In 2023, the Russian prosthesis market may face an influx of customers, Kommersant writes . Most likely, the demand will grow for prosthetic arms and legs – these are the injuries that could become the most common among Russians participating in the war in Ukraine.
As of the beginning of this year, there are 1.5 million people with disabilities in Russia who need technical means of rehabilitation (RTM): prostheses, wheelchairs, canes, orthopedic shoes. In 2022, the Social Insurance Fund allocated 37.3 billion rubles to provide for the citizens of the TSR. A larger amount has been set aside for next year: 44 billion rubles.
The Ministry of Labor notes that, if necessary, this budget can be increased.
According to Kommersant, in 4 regions occupied by Russia , the need for prostheses has already increased.
“In connection with the SVO, as well as the shelling of the territory of the republic, the ministry predicts an increase in the contingent of people in need of prosthetic and orthopedic care, in particular, these are combatants and civilians affected by armed aggression,” the press service of the Ministry of Labor reported. and social policy of the "DNR".
At the same time, private manufacturers of prostheses are afraid of problems due to sanctions, noting that at any time major suppliers of components for prostheses (for example, Turkey and Germany) can stop cooperation with Russia, as Icelandic Ossur, for example, has already done.