Latin America and the Caribbean has a population of approximately 550 million people. So, almost twice the size of the United States. However, most of these countries are third world countries with health care standards miles below ours.
In the US there are roughly 5000 certified Orthotic and Prosthetic (O&P) Practitioners. O&P is one of the so-called Allied Health disciplines, that does not involved medical school but is still necessary for care of patients. In Latin America there are roughly 150 certified practitioners. The number of people with unmet needs in these countries is huge; estimates say that roughly 2 million people are living in pain because they don't have access to O&P care.
Why is this such a problem? There is only one school in Latin America that is an accredited program, and it graduates only 20 students a year.
I'm part of a team at my school that is helping new program in Colombia. Their program is not yet accredited, but we're hoping that through our work it will be closer by the end of this year.
I am agree with the info about the population of Latin America And the Caribbean.
But I think you should find more information about o&p in Latin America. I do not known what is your source.
For example Argentina:
Argentina have two Schools of O&P, one of then has upper dregee level ( foor years of Universitary level). The other one has secondary level.
Both Schools was established around 1960, and are the older school in Latin America.
Argentina have at least 1000 practitioners for a 44 million people. The degree is recognized for the state, in others words is official.
In one of this School ( San Martín University - www.unsam.edu.ar) a lot of latin american practitioners was educated.
I would like to share with you a portal, where you can find information about this matter. This page is made in spanish www.sitiosdeoyp.com.ar . In this page you can find links to a lot of webpages of O&P profesion in Latinamerica.
Thanks, for the possiblity to share our reallity.
Lic. Prof. Favio Montané