CMCH’s in-house prosthetic limb unit offers new lease of life to amputees

Coimbatore: The in-house prosthetic limb manufacturing unit at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) is giving a new hope to people who lost their limbs due to accidents or diabetes.

Since its establishment in 2020, the unit provided artificial limbs to 213 patients, including 102 trauma cases, 74 diabetic foot cases and 32 with peripheral vascular disease.Of the beneficiaries, 176 were men and 37 were women. Most of the recipients -- 66 patients -- belonged to the 51–60 age group.P Subash, 24, of Mettupalayam lost both his legs and hands due to electrocution in 2021. Thanks to the prosthetic unit, he is now able to walk independently and perform essential tasks with his hands.

“I can walk by myself, even descend steps at a 90-degree angle. I can drive an automatic car and take care of my basic needs,” he said.In May this year, a three-year-old boy from Sokkanur village near Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district received a customised prosthetic leg after undergoing an above-knee amputation on his right leg due to a congenital condition.Established in 2020 without direct govt expenditure, the facility operates by recycling funds from the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY) and the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (TNCMCHIS).

It is the first such facility of its kind in Tamil Nadu and has eliminated the need for patients to travel to Chennai or rely on expensive private services.“The unit continues to support disabled people by providing free, custom-made artificial arms and legs within the hospital premises under the ABPMJAY and TNCMCHIS schemes,” said Dr Vetrivelchezian, professor of orthopaedics.“As per protocol, patients who lost their limbs are admitted to orthopaedic ward under our team.

Ten beds are exclusively reserved for such patients,” he said.“The fabrication of artificial limbs is carried out by the orthotist, gait training is provided by the physiotherapist, and occupational counselling is offered by the occupational therapist. A psychiatrist counsels patients to help improve their mental resilience, enabling them to stand on their own and use the artificial limbs independently,” he added.