ENJOYLIFE Prosthetics & Orthotics Co, Fuzhou, Fujian, China, the Chinese distributor of the i-LIMB Hand, has officially launched the i-LIMB Hand in China. Representatives from the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorates of Scotland and the Chinese Rehabilitation Association attended the April 10 launch event. According to Touch Bionics, Livingston, Scotland, ENJOYLIFE is currently the largest private company in the Chinese O&P industry.
“This new market announcement demonstrates the rapid expansion of Touch Bionics. Eighteen months from launch, the company has sold over 600 hands and is now shipping to over 30 countries,” says Gaurav Mishra, Touch Bionics’ director of international sales. “Early market entry into China is a strong indicator of future plans as Touch Bionics addresses markets that, unlike the U.S.A. for example, have less-established financial infrastructures for medical insurance and national healthcare reimbursement. With the introduction of new medical reforms, we hope that advanced devices like the i-LIMB Hand will become easily available to all citizens in China.”
Jack Perry, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, which, alongside Scottish Development International, has worked closely with Touch Bionics, was also at the event. He said, “It is excellent to see a Scottish company leading the way in this field on the global stage. This latest venture into the Chinese market will add to Touch Bionics’ already-established international profile and will help to reinforce Scotland’s reputation as a world leader in innovation in medical devices.”
Jin Ergang, chairman of the China Rehabilitation Devices Association, stated, “This product is welcome news for Chinese people in need of artificial limbs to maintain normal work and personal lives…. By embracing this…technology, we can significantly improve the rehabilitation of people with disabilities in China.”
“The Scottish government is committed to the development and promotion of leading innovative technology worldwide” said Fiona Hyslop, MSP, Scotland’s cabinet secretary of Education and Lifelong Learning Directorates. “Today, we are proud to share this advanced bionic achievement with our colleagues in China to contribute to the health and well-being of people with disabilities….”