13/7 blast victims who lost their legs now have a chance to get back on their feet after an NGO approached the hospitals where they are being treated and volunteered to provide Jaipur foots to the needy for free.
The Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayta Samiti (BMVSS) also plans to help the victims get jobs and secure the future of their families. Shraddha Vyas, BMVSS member, said, “As per the details provided by the hospitals, there are five people in Saifee Hospital who had leg amputations and three at Hurkisondas hospital. Almost all are poor and the sole earning members in their families.”
Vyas adds that when they approached the hospital, they were told that a German company had already offered to provide artificial limbs to the blast victims
“But we have asked the hospitals to go for Jaipur foot. The German limb costs Rs40,000 and the maintenance cost is more than Rs15,000. In the past, we have had people who went for this option, couldn’t afford the maintenance cost and ended up coming to us,” said Vyas.
The NGO is presently noting all the necessary details about the patients. “The wounds are still healing. The patients will take at least three months before they are fit to be given Jaipur limbs,” said Vyas.
A senior doctor from Hurkisondas hospital agreed, “It is too early to give them the artificial limbs. Presently, we are helping them get to terms with life.”
Due to the impact of the blasts, many victims had their legs crushed and amputation was the only option. The doctors are helping these patients come to terms with life.
“Losing an important body part like a leg is very disturbing. We are providing such patients psychological counselling. They are also being looked after by an infections control doctor, a chest physician etc.”
