A young Naga woman, who lost both her hands in an accident, was saved by Indian Army doctors from being left amputated. Army doctors and experts helped 25-year-old Muwala Sangtam of Nagaland lead life in a better way with the help of artificial prosthesis.
Sangtam, a resident from Nagaland’s Changchor village in Kiphire district, lost both her upper limbs in an accident in 2012. She was initially treated at civil hospital, Dimapur, where a revision surgery of both upper limbs was carried out. She was provided artificial limbs, but the lady found them too heavy and non-functional and discarded them after a short span of time.
Seeing her situation, Field Hospital at Dimapur was given the responsibility by Spear Corps to provide her with prosthesis for both upper limbs under ‘Operation Sadbhavana’. The task was difficult as her limbs were amputated from the shoulder joints. The aim was to provide light weight prosthesis with partial functionality and good cosmetic look. The artificial limbs were procured and fitted in March this year. This was followed by intensive rehabilitation regime.
It has been six months now and Sangtam has been using the new artificial limbs. According to Indian Army sources, the limbs are partially functional as of now, which means she is able to move hands through shoulder muscles. The situation is likely to improve further with the continuous use of prosthesis. Army sources said Sangtam may be able to slowly move elbow and parts below it. Sangtam and her parents expressed their gratitude to lt Gen Bipin Rawat, GOC Spear Corps during an interaction recently.
The family appreciated the quality of the limbs provided to the girl and efforts put in by the unit and specialist doctors, who have helped Sangtam get on with her life again. lt Gen Rawat assured the family that the Army would continue to help and aid the Naga people and Naga society through various welfare activities.