Wounded Bangladesh protesters receive robotic helping hand

Published On : 2024-11-24T12:50:00+0530 [ IST ] | Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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Squeezing rubber-coveredrobotic prosthetic hands Bangladesh protesters wounded during the deadly revolution to topple autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina Sheikh Hasinatest out replacement arms for their lost limbs

"I'll be able to do some everyday tasks with this artificial hand," said student Hafeez Mohammad Hossain, 19, whose right hand was ripped off in gunfire on August

It was the same day protesters stormed Hasina's palace as she fled to India by helicopter.

In the middle of the chaos Hossain said a police officer levelled a shotgun at him and fired.

Surgeons picked out the shot but were unable to save his hand.

I can't write anymore," Hossain said.

On Thursday he was fitted with a prosthetic limb along with four other students who also lost their hands during the months-long protests in which at least 700 people were killed during a

Robolife Technologies a Bangladeshi organisation manufacturing artificial hands said the prosthetic limbs use sensors connected to nerves to move.

The company says it allows users to grasp objects, type and use a phone.

If you ask me whether they work like organic hands I'd say no," said Antu Karim who is working on the government-backed project to fit the limbs.

But these hands allow the boys to hold a glass if thirsty or a spoon to eat. "At least they won't be looked down upon for not having hands."

'Rely on others' -

Hasina's 15-year tenure saw widespread human rights abuses including the mass detention and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.

Limbless protesters held a rally earlier this month demanding the interim government who took over after Hasina's fall support those injured in the protests.

Many say they have not received the aid they need.

The four other former protesters who had arms fitted on Thursday included Mohammad Mamun Mia a father of two whose hand was hacked off by a gang he said was loyal to Hasina'

The new arm is far from perfect but it has made a huge difference.

"I'll be able to do some regular tasks with this hand," he said. While he can't work driving a tractor in the fields again he hopes now to open a small business.

Arif Hossain Sagar had his hand amputated after it failed to heal from an injury he sustained during the protests and doctors worried about gangrene.

I can't do regular activities now. I rely on others for eating or bathing.

The new hand will bring a degree of normality to his life he said.

Nayeem Hasan, wounded when attackers pounced on him as he went to donate blood to those injured after a fire broke into tears.

The new arm would help him fulfil his simple dream.

I have a one-year-old daughter who wants me to hold her.

Source : Reporters From Sunrise Chronicles

Tags : If , prostheticprosthetic limbs use sensors connected , Bangladeshi , Squeezing , He , Nayeem Hasan , Hasan , Hasina , August , It ,

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