Odisha’s first: Youth fitted with computerized prosthesis in both hands

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack , Feb 3:

In a first in Odisha, a youth who had lost both his upper limbs in an attack by miscreants, has been fitted with computerized hand prosthesis exported from USA at the cost of Rs 6 lakhs donated by CM relief fund in Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack today.

Eight months after a gang of miscreants in Bolangir district in a barbaric act chopped off Khirod Mishra’s both hands, he is able to again use both his hands.

He has been given a new life with two computerized prosthesis brought from USA costing Rs 6 lakhs donated from CM relief fund.

In the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Khirod Mishra, a native of Raghavpali village  Khirod was fitted with the computerized prosthetic hands.

“For the first time in Odisha, artificial computerized hands on both hands have been fitted. This is a milestone for the medical fraternity in Odisha. The medical staff as well as the students here were able to practically learn from the case which was previously read by us in books,” said Dr Arun Chaudhary, HOD plastic surgery department SCB.

The prostheses work through a myoelectric-controlled system, with a 24 hour battery backup which is rechargeable. With these the patient can write, sign, and eat easily, he said.

Khirod has been given training for using the artificial hands for last 2 months, as the prosthesis works with signals from the brain.

“The patient had come with destroyed limbs, they had also come very late, around 14 hours after the incident. We had to amputate his hands from upper-limb and give four bottles of blood to save his life. We were determined to help the young man, we were delayed because of financial crunch, but are very grateful to the health minister, chief minister for the timely help”, Chaudhary added.

While, Khirod’s younger brother who has been staying with his brother in SCB has said that the patient was able to do simple tasks.

“We are very happy, after eight months of staying here we will be able to go home. Brother will be able to eat and so his own daily work. We are very grateful to Dr Arun Chaudhary, who has saved his life and Chief Minister,” said his younger brother.

Khirod was fitted with artificial limbs by the doctors in the presence of chief minister, who had come to inaugurate three high end investigation machines- Heavy linear accelerator, Light linear accelerator, CT simulator – at a cost of Rs 30 crores for cancer treatment at the Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre, today.

“Two linear machines have been installed, with one machine that we can locate the tumour and provide localized radiation and treat it. This machine has low reaction and we can increase the dose of radiation and control the disease”, said a senior doctor.