Tags:
Journalism of Courage
AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 23: After the Jaipur foot, it8217;s Prabha foot 8211; a friction-free, maintenance-free artificial limb prosthesis developed by a Bhavnagar-based entrepreneur.
The prosthesis is a brainchild of Vijaykumar Naik, a graduate in prosthetic and orthetic engineering from the All-India Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai.
Naik worked with Dr S K Sethi of Jaipur Foot fame. Later, he received International fellowship from the Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation, New Jersey. He also had a 10-year stint as chief prosthetist and orthotist at the Ministry of Health, Republic of Yemen.
After his return from Yemen, Naik chose to settle down in Bhavnagar to carry on his work in association with the voluntary organisation Parasanben Narandas Ramji Shah Society for Relief and Rehabilitation. It was here he developed the friction-free prosthesis after he was approached by a diamond cutter from Mumbai, Mansur Khan. Khan, who was fitted with an artificial limb, found it difficult to sitfor long hours. This prompted Naik to research and modify the prosthesis to enable him to sit with his legs crossed thus also making his movements easier. And in 1994, he developed the Prabha foot.
The prosthesis has been named after Prabhakumar Vadhar, whose family donated funds to start the modern centre for artificial limbs and appliances.
Prabha Foot is cost effective, maintenance free, allows cross leg movement, auto and easy locking. Other features include unhampered circulation of blood in the remaining limb which avoids shrinking of stump and skin ulcers. It is extremely useful for growing children as the height of the prosthesis can be adjusted manually.
What makes Prabha Foot a boon for those who have lost their limbs is its cost effectiveness. The above knee prosthesis costs Rs 4,200 and below knee prosthesis costs Rs 2,400. The prosthesis will also last a lifetime. They are light weight 8211; the above knee prosthesis weigh only 2.2 kg and a below knee prosthesis weigh 1.2 kg.
A person usingPrabha Foot can easily ride a bicycle, walk, run and dance. In cases of arm replacements, the individuals can also write.
Citing an example, Naik said, quot;A 15-year-old boy, Chintan Patel of Bhavnagar, lost one of his arms and legs because of an electric shock. After replacing the natural limbs with these prosthesis, Chintan functions absolutely normally, plays cricket, skates besides pursuing his studies.quot; There are other examples of people successfully carrying on with their daily chores in spite of having artificial limbs.
Prabha Foot is made of easily available materials in the country like aluminium alloy, plastic, fibre glass and polyurythene foam.
Naik has now given a proposal to the Defence Ministry for using these prostheses for the rehabilitation of the soldiers who lose their limbs fighting for the country. The Defence Ministry is seriously considering the proposal.
