Nalta Hospital gave them new life

They can move without any body's help, thanks to their artificial legs they got from the Prosthetics and Orthotic Shelter at Nalta Hospital in Kaliganj upazila.

They are among 50 people including 12 children who came to express their gratitude to the authorities on the occasion of the first founding anniversary of the Shelter. The children were given artificial legs free of cost.

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It was a festive mood on the hospital premises with participation of doctors, teachers, government officials, local elite and 50 people coming from different areas of the country who are leading normal life with the help of artificial legs.

The day-long programme included a colourful rally brought out from Nalta Bazar.

Mrs Dona Bargase, president of Ciatol Prosthetics Outrich Foundation of USA, Dr J W Ragby, one of the founders of the hospital, renowned orthopaedics Dr AFM Ruhul Haq and hundreds of people from all walks of life participated in the procession that paraded the Bazar areas.

A discussion meeting was held on the hospital premises with Dr AFM Ruhul Haq in the chair. Mrs Bargase and Dr JW Ragby were present as chief guest and special guest respectively.

Former lawmaker Monsur Ahmed and some others spoke while Mrs Dona Bargase unveiled the plaque of the Shelter.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ruhul Haq said in future children will be given artificial limbs free of cost and orthopaedic operation will also be done at the Shelter, he said.

Mrs Dona Bargase said, if necessary, in case of fitting artificial limbs, the Outrich Foundation will bear the operation cost.

Dr Ragby said the hospital has been provided with modern medical facilities and called upon the local people to develop it further for their benefit.

The hospital with financial assistance from the Out rich Foundation started producing artificial limbs last year.

Dr AFM Ruhul Haq and Dr JW Ragby are visiting the hospital very often and treating patients since its establishment in 1999.

This is the second such hospital set up with assistance from the Foundation after Vitman.

Dr Remon Pie and Dr Jasim, two renowned prosthetics are also involved in the project.

The recipients of artificial legs include a truck driver, sources said.

Raw materials to produce artificial limbs are imported from Vietnam.

BBA student Jahurul Islam Shishir of Kishorganj lost his leg in a train accident at Kamlapur railway station in Dhaka on January 10, 2002.

He came to the Shelter on February 25, 2003 and went back to normal life with an artificial leg at a cost of Tk 5000.