Who would believe that ex-Sapper Balkishan Bundola who is 92 has been fitted with limb made by the Artificial Limb Centre (ALC), Pune since 1944. He revisited ALC in August last year for a check-up. Similarly, ex-Swr SS Verma has been using an upper limb prosthesis made by ALC for the last 21 years and ex Sepoy Puran Chand has been using a below-knee artificial limb for the last 29 years without a break!

These three persons stand for the core values of a true soldier. They braved the bullets of the enemy to defend India's freedom and integrity. While facing the enemy bullets, they had to lose their limbs. Nevertheless, they were not disheartened, thanks to ALC. The ALC stood by their side and provided them with the necessary mobile equipment. Since then, they never looked back. They went ahead with lot of zest for life. Brimming with confidence they have been crossing all hurdles in their lives.

No wheel-chairs-no crutches, the motto of ALC, epitomises the complete work ethos at this centre. A unique organisation by any standards, ALC has an amalgamation of Army Medical Corps and the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and a large group of industrial and non-industrial employees. Working as a team at ALC, this group of professionals ensures that all physically challenged patients walk out of the premises on their own, proudly.

Artificial Limb Centre was established at Pune on May 19, 1944. It moved to Kirkee in 1945 and then to Lahore in December 1946. However, after Partition, the centre was re-established at its present location in Pune on January 1, 1948. The centre was established with the primary objective of meeting the prosthetic and orthotic needs of disabled personnel of the Indian Armed Forces specially the victims of the second World War. Since 1951, the facilities have been extended to civilians on payment. Army, Naval and Air Force personnel and their families are entitled for free issue of artificial limbs and appliances.

The institution is the only one of its kind where a comprehensive care to the disabled is provided under one roof by a team of specialists. The team comprises surgeons, engineers, prosthetists, orthotists physiotherapists, psychologists, instructors, occupational therapists and medical social workers. Every case is seen by this team right from the commencement of the treatment till the final discharge. The patient undergoes operation and is given psychotherapy. He is fitted with limbs and appliances, and then trained in their use.
Thus, he is rejuvenated physically, psychologically and socially before leaving this centre.

Once a patient comes to ALC, either as an outdoor or indoor case, he remains on its rolls for life. He is allotted a disability series number and his case file is maintained. At present, there are over 45,000 patients on the rolls of this centre of which 25,000 patients visit regularly for repairs and replacement of their artificial limbs and appliances.

Conventional artificial limbs fabricated by this centre are considered to be very strong, sturdy and long lasting displaying the best workmanships in the country. However, improvements in the existing models are being made incorporating newer technologies. To keep pace with advancement in life sciences, ALC has designed and developed a below-knee carbon fibre shaft in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The technology used in the making of atificial limbs has been transferred to 515 Army Base Workshop for mass production of below-knee kit. Till now, approximately 350 below-knee prostheses have been fitted to patients with a high degree of satisfaction.