In India, there are a large number of people who have lost one or more limbs in accidents or due to some disease. While prosthetics manufacturing in the country lags behind what is available in advanced countries, modern science still provides the assistance that those without limbs need to shrug off dependence on others and lead an independent life.
Almost a million people in India have a lower limb disability, and about half of them are amputees. Those who lose a leg face a lot of difficulties, including finding work and coping with social stigma. Many of them struggle to afford a prosthetic limb, which can cost up to six months' salary for low-income rural Indians. A new design, however, seeks to overcome these problems. Designed by scientists at IIT Guwahati, the Kadam prosthetic leg is built to suit the specific needs of Indian users, from sitting cross-legged to using a toilet and dealing with uneven terrain. It also meets international quality standards and is 4-5 times more affordable than comparable imported knees.
The scientists gathered data on how Indians use their prosthetic limbs and worked with disabled patients to find out what they need the most. They found that they were not just looking for a functionally effective artificial leg, but also something that looks more natural and feels comfortable. In the end, they came up with a design that has a clear outer "skin" that acts just like a real leg, minus the blood vessels. The researchers have been testing the limbs with patients and are Artificial Limbs in India optimistic about its commercialization, which could help make prosthetics accessible to more disabled people in India.
While the Jaipur Foot organization started out focusing on producing limbs, it soon expanded to offer rehabilitation services as well. In addition to supplying the right type of limb, it helps people adapt to living with the disability, providing occupational therapy and recreational activities such as running, yoga, and cricket. It also works to improve computer literacy and hosts a national sports competition for disabled athletes.
Quartz reporter Fred de Sam Lazaro visited the Jaipur Foot organization in Rajasthan to witness their dedication firsthand. He asks an amputee to sprint with him and finds out how a simple piece of machinery can change lives. For more on this story and the state of prosthetics in India, listen to the latest episode of our Quartz Obsession podcast. You can subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Google Play. The Top 10 African Countries from where the Artificial Limb Prosthesis Surgery patients travel to India are: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, and Somalia. Besides the best hospitals in India, the attractive price of treatment, air connectivity, tourism options etc. are the major factors that attract foreign patients from these countries to India for medical treatments. Insurance is often provided to cover the cost of prosthetic limbs, depending on the type and severity of the accident or injury that caused amputation.
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