Prosthetic Arms Give Hope to Protesters in Bangladesh Who Lost Limbs in Revolution

Dhaka, Bangladesh – November 24, 2024: Protesters who lost their limbs in the deadly revolution to overthrow autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina are finding new hope through innovative prosthetic technology.

In a poignant scene on Thursday, five students who had been seriously wounded during the months-long protests were fitted with advanced rubber-covered robotic prosthetic hands. These hands, designed by Robolife Technologies, a Bangladeshi company, use sensors connected to nerves to allow the user to perform basic tasks such as grasping objects, typing, and even using a phone.

Among those receiving the prosthetics was 19-year-old Hafeez Mohammad Hossain, who lost his right hand during a violent crackdown on August 5, the same day protesters stormed Sheikh Hasina’s palace. Hossain recalls the moment vividly when a police officer fired a shotgun at him, ripping off his hand and leaving him with severe injuries to his back and leg. Despite several surgeries, doctors could not save his hand, forcing Hossain to learn how to write with his left hand.

With the prosthetic hand now fitted, Hossain expressed hope that he could regain some independence. “I’ll be able to do some everyday tasks with this artificial hand,” he said.

While the prosthetics do not fully replicate the function of organic hands, they provide users with a sense of normalcy. “They allow the boys to hold a glass if thirsty, or a spoon to eat,” said Antu Karim, part of the team working on the prosthetic project. The technology aims to make those who lost limbs during the revolution feel less marginalized.

In addition to Hossain, four other former protesters received prosthetics, including Mohammad Mamun Mia, 32, who lost his hand after it was hacked off by a gang allegedly loyal to Hasina’s Awami League party. Though he can no longer work in the fields, Mia is now hopeful that the prosthetic will help him pursue a small business venture.

Arif Hossain Sagar, 19, who had his hand amputated due to a gangrene risk from a protest injury, shared that the prosthetic would allow him to regain some regular activities in his life. For Nayeem Hasan, whose hand was severed when attackers ambushed him while he was donating blood, the new arm means the world. “I have a one-year-old daughter who wants me to hold her,” he said, breaking into tears.

The protesters, who lost limbs during a violent police crackdown that killed over 700 people, continue to demand support from the interim government now in power after Hasina’s fall. Many injured protesters claim they have not received adequate aid for their recovery.

For now, the prosthetic arms represent a significant step toward rebuilding their lives and dignity after a traumatic period in Bangladesh’s history.