Infantile scoliosis patients benefit from Maltese product

US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro paid a courtesy visit to Technoline's home care centre, in Gzira, which produce the AMIL casting frame that is essential in the early treatment of infantile scoliosis.

The frame has been developed and constructed by Protex, an associate company of Technoline, and is now marketed in the US.

Min H. Mehta, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon based in London and an internationally acknowledged expert in the area, was also present.

Dr Mehta spoke of the importance of early corrective treatment of infantile scoliosis, because delaying treatment can result in very severe spinal deformity, eventually requiring surgical intervention.

He explained how serial corrective plaster jackets are applied on the AMIL frame.

She acknowledged the contribution of Lolly Mifsud, a senior nursing officer at St Luke's Hospital, and Tony Guillaumier for the realisation of a commercially viable product.

Mr Guillaumier, on behalf of Protex, said his company's cooperation and support to ISOP - an affiliate organisation of Cerebral Palsy of Colorado - has enabled the American NGO to conduct the first two early treatment programmes in the US.

Mr Guillaumier said he was very enthusiastic that Malta has been able to contribute to a worthy cause while establishing a "niche market" for a Maltese product with an interesting global growth potential.