When P Subash lost all four limbs in an electrocution accident in 2021, he never imagined he’d walk again. But today, the 24-year-old is back on his feet, thanks to the prosthetic limb manufacturing unit at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH). “I can walk, work, and even climb stairs and drive again,” he said. “It feels like I have my life back.”
Established in 2020, the in-house facility is the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu and has become a beacon of hope for those who lost limbs due to accidents or medical conditions like diabetes. So far, the unit has fitted 213 patients with prosthetic limbs — including 102 trauma cases, 74 diabetic foot cases, and 32 with peripheral vascular disease. Among the recipients, 176 were men and 37 women, with 66 aged between 50 and 60.
In May, the unit fitted a three-year-old boy from Sokkanur village with a custom-made prosthetic leg after an above-knee amputation due to a congenital issue — marking one of its youngest success stories.
The unit runs using funds recycled from Ayushman Bharat and the Tamil Nadu CM’s comprehensive health insurance scheme, allowing free distribution of limbs. Patients no longer need to travel to Chennai or spend on costly private clinics.
“We custom-make every limb here,” said Dr Vetrivelchezian, Head of Orthopaedics. “Our team includes an orthotist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and psychiatrist — all focused on holistic recovery.”