Jaipur foot
We tend not to value things which are around us either due to familiarity or something elusive and elsewhere is more appealing and attractive.
I have spent three years ( 1988 to 1991 ) in Kolkata. Though we all knew of the sterling services rendered by Mother Teresa and her organisation in Kolkata, I noticed that there was no visible signs of their popularity among the masses there. Though a visit to her institution was at the back of my mind when I landed at Kolkata, it remained there and I did not translate into action.
"Jaipur foot" has earned the appreciation of public for its efficacy and as well its low cost. I decided to have a look at the rehabilitation centre in the leading private hospital Santokba Durlabji Memorial Hospital ( SDMH ) here at Jaipur who are making the artificial legs and also calipers for affected persons. The other big centre making these components are at Sawai Man Singh Hosptal ( SMS Hospital ) which is the largest government hospital in Rajasthan.
"Jaipur foot" was pioneered by Dr P K Sethi at SMS Hospital in 1970s. Dr Sethi was an orthopaedic surgeon and mastered the art of making "Jaipur foot" which proved to be a boon for common man. After retirement from government service, Dr Sethi joined SDMH and continued his good work there. He passed away last year. The orthopaedic rehabilitation centre in SDMH is named after Dr Sethi.
The unit makes calipers for those whose legs have withered away due to polio and artificial legs for those whose legs had been amputated. Artificial legs for those whose amputation was above knee is involved as the artificial leg has to have a knee like mechanism.
SDMH has trained technicians from Mozambique and Angola in making "Jaipur foot" for the benefit of common folks there who had lost their limbs due to bombing and land mines during the long fought civil wars in their country. Several organisations across India have learnt the technique of making "Jaipur foot" and are carrying forward this cost effective remedial work elsewhere in the country.
Though the workshop occupies less than 2000 square feet of floor space, the benefits to the society at large is boundless. I missed visiting Mother Teresa and her institution two decades ago. This visit made me a satisfied person.
I have spent three years ( 1988 to 1991 ) in Kolkata. Though we all knew of the sterling services rendered by Mother Teresa and her organisation in Kolkata, I noticed that there was no visible signs of their popularity among the masses there. Though a visit to her institution was at the back of my mind when I landed at Kolkata, it remained there and I did not translate into action.
"Jaipur foot" has earned the appreciation of public for its efficacy and as well its low cost. I decided to have a look at the rehabilitation centre in the leading private hospital Santokba Durlabji Memorial Hospital ( SDMH ) here at Jaipur who are making the artificial legs and also calipers for affected persons. The other big centre making these components are at Sawai Man Singh Hosptal ( SMS Hospital ) which is the largest government hospital in Rajasthan.
"Jaipur foot" was pioneered by Dr P K Sethi at SMS Hospital in 1970s. Dr Sethi was an orthopaedic surgeon and mastered the art of making "Jaipur foot" which proved to be a boon for common man. After retirement from government service, Dr Sethi joined SDMH and continued his good work there. He passed away last year. The orthopaedic rehabilitation centre in SDMH is named after Dr Sethi.
The unit makes calipers for those whose legs have withered away due to polio and artificial legs for those whose legs had been amputated. Artificial legs for those whose amputation was above knee is involved as the artificial leg has to have a knee like mechanism.
SDMH has trained technicians from Mozambique and Angola in making "Jaipur foot" for the benefit of common folks there who had lost their limbs due to bombing and land mines during the long fought civil wars in their country. Several organisations across India have learnt the technique of making "Jaipur foot" and are carrying forward this cost effective remedial work elsewhere in the country.
Though the workshop occupies less than 2000 square feet of floor space, the benefits to the society at large is boundless. I missed visiting Mother Teresa and her institution two decades ago. This visit made me a satisfied person.
Good article Sir. People know Jaipur for its forts ,old pink city, Jantar Mantar,low weight rajai(Quilt)and Ghewar (traditional sweet made during the festival of Teej)but very few know about Jaipur Foot. Regards Rahul Upadhyaya
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