KOCHI: Established in 1987, the District Limb fitting Centre at General Hospital, Ernakulam, has helped thousands of people regain mobility and lead better lives through affordable prosthetic and orthotic appliances. From artificial limbs to specially designed footwear, the centre has been a source of support for people living with physical disabilities. However, the facility is yet to expand its services to include prosthetic hands.
Earlier this year, a Palakkad native girl, who lost her right hand to medical negligence, was provided with a prosthetic hand for which Chief Minister V D Satheesan ensured financial assistance. While the technology to develop a prosthetic hand remains beneficial for many, the facility is still not adopted in the district limb fitting centres across Kerala, forcing common people to turn to private facilities paying huge money.
The District Limb Fitting Centre here acts as a consultation facility and production unit when it comes to prosthetics. “In the outpatient consultation facility here, we assess the requirements of each person and guide them to the technicians and leather workers who make the footwear. Some need shoes to correct issues with the leg while some need artificial leg/limbs following amputation.
Assistance for those with disc problems, neck issues etc are also being provided here. With diabetes cases on the rise, many approach us for artificial legs, toes etc as such parts were amputated following diabetes,” said Dr Sindhu M, senior consultant, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department of the hospital. What makes the centre more important is the fact that such prosthetics are available here in an affordable range considering the fact that a majority of patients who depend on government hospitals are below poverty line.
“Prosthetic legs which can cost over `1 lakh in private hospitals, are provided with subsidised prices here. We also give them training on how to use the artificial fittings to their body,” Sindhu shared. The centre annually provides 330 orthotic appliances (for teeth, jaws etc), 30 prosthetics, and 420 leather works (mainly shoes) in addition to the repair works.
According to Dr Prebhudas R, Superintendent of General Hospital, “we have been receiving many enquiries from people for prosthetic hands and also for other cosmetic needs. If we can upgrade to the latest technology in prosthetic hands, it will definitely help many people, as the process costs a fortune for the common man when done in private institutions.”
Currently, the prosthetic hand fixing facility is available only in Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, among the government hospitals in the state. Specialised institutions like NIPMR (National Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) and Composite Regional Centre, Kozhikode, are present, but for those with limited mobility regional centres with advanced facilities serve the purpose.
Prosthesis cost
Below knee prosthesis cost: G7,160
Above knee prosthesis: G24,250
MCR chappals: G660