550 amputees get free artificial limbs from Indian government

Over 550 amputees in Uganda are to receive free artificial limb replacements at the orthopaedic department in Mulago Hospital, starting Saturday. The replacements are courtesy of the Indian government.

The 40 days artificial replacement camp is part of activities to mark the 150th birthday anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who is India's father of the nation.

"It will cost between sh400m and sh500m," Suman Venkatesh, the chairperson of the India Women's Association (IWA), said.

"This is a government of India initiative and the donation is expected to help people in need to lead a normal life," she added.

Limb injury

The government of India, through the High Commission of India in Uganda, gave IWA the responsibility to organise and manage the free limb replacement camp to benefit Ugandans. The cost of each limb replacement is sh3m.

Dr Norbert Orwotho, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and clinical head of the orthopaedic department at Mulago Hospital, said motorcycle (bodaboda) accidents alone currently contribute to over 60% of emergency admissions at Mulago. 

"We are talking of an average of 15 to 20 people per day who are involved in accidents, and some have injuries on the limbs."

"Some have lost them to injuries, wars, diseases or infections. Despite all that, life has to continue. These camps have helped us to rehabilitate Ugandans who have lost their limbs," he said.

Dr Orwotho said the acquisition of artificial limbs is an expensive venture. It is estimated that an individual will spend between sh3.5m and sh8m to have a limb replaced. 

"This free opportunity is a great gain. It will help amputees live decently," he said.

The principal orthopaedic technologist at Mulago Hospital, James Kisambira, said: "When they are fitted with artificial prosthetic limbs, they are able to lead an independent life and engage in income-generating activities that will boost the quality of life, he said.

"In addition, we are also going to have technical collaborations — our technicians at Mulago are going to learn from the visiting technicians coming to fit the limbs, free of charge," he said.

The deputy executive director of Mulago Hospital, Dr Rosemary Byanyima, said the majority of amputees cannot afford basic artificial limbs.

"Having more than 500 persons who have lost their limbs getting an artificial limb is a blessing," she says.

She commended the team of Indian doctors who will be undertaking the work. 

Support

Dr Byanyima said Mulago Hospital is open to more camps to help Ugandans in need.

The Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, Ajay Kumar, said the artificial limb replacement camp is part of a campaign "India for Humanity" that the government of India started in 2017.

It has supported Indians and people in countries that are friendly to India.  

"To date, we have done 13 camps in 12 countries and approximately 7,000 people in need in these countries have benefited so far," he says

In Uganda, just like the other countries, all replacements and surgeries will be done by visiting doctors from India for 40 days at the orthopaedic department in Mulago Hospital. They are expected to provide support staff to help amputees regain their independence to carry their work. 

Dr Orwotho said beneficiaries have already been selected from their database, and mobilised from across the country, including from among the refugees.