Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. On April 28, Prime Minister of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh became acquainted with the operations at prosthetic and orthopedic factories, receiving the suggestions of the factory workers and making corresponding decisions.

Of the total of over 140 thousand persons with disabilities in Mongolia, up to 40 percent have disabilities that require prosthetic and assistive devices. The gear for the citizens are manufactured at the state-owned Rehabilitation, Training, and Manufacturing Center as well as the private-owned ‘Erkhem Chanar’ factory.

Despite the nationwide heightened state of readiness, the factories continue their operations as they follow the regulations and standards issued for protection from infection, with both factories having 13-18 workers. Established over 10 years ago, ‘Erkhem Chanar’ factory is equipped with modern technology and equipment, and manufactures the latest prosthetics.

Alongside receiving all available support and services in the legal framework through the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, they have continuously expanded their operations as they maintain consistent partnerships with international organizations.

As for the state-owned Rehabilitation, Training, and Manufacturing Center, the factory also continues its normal operation. However, the executives highlighted that the technology and equipment at the factory needs to be renewed as some equipment that were installed in the 1960s continue to be used even today. In the framework of the project being implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the equipment will be renewed step-by-step, with an investment of MNT 900 million planned for 2020.

The two factories manufacture prosthetics for about 1500-1700 citizens annually. As the prices of commodities have been growing in recent years, the model price for prosthetics are also required to be updated, highlighted the factory executives. The fact that prices set in 2012 are still being used is a reason the factory is working with deficit. With the prices updated, not only will persons with disabilities be able to purchase prosthetics with their welfare allowance, but also the factory will be able to work without deficit.

After getting acquainted with the operations of the two factories, Prime Minister of Mongolia U.Khurelsukh said, “As the head of the government as well as the Prime Minister, I perceive that there are 4 groups of people that require more care and attention: children, elders, persons with disabilities, and single mothers and fathers. This is why I am personally becoming acquainted with the operations of prosthetic factories, and meeting the factory workers here today. We are focusing on hearing about pressing issues and finding solutions for those issues for starters.” During his visit to the factories, the PM obliged Minister of Labor and Social Protection S.Chinzorig on the spot to develop a project to solve the issues and present them during the cabinet meeting.