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Shahara Begum (60) lost one of her legs in a road accident in 2008. She was rushed to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), commonly known as Pangu Hospital, in Dhaka, where doctors amputated her leg to save her life. That marked the beginning of a long and difficult struggle.
Her husband Saheb Ali managed her medical expenses with great hardship. Later, Shahara has come to know that Jalalabad Disabled Rehabilitation Centre and Hospital (JDRCH) provides artificial limbs free of cost. After contacting the authorities, arrangements were made for her prosthetic leg.
Now, Shahara can walk without a stick. She says that after receiving the artificial limb, she can do household work and move around comfortably. Originally from Bonpara in Rajshahi, Shahara currently lives in the Kazitula area of Sylhet city. She expressed happiness at receiving the prosthetic leg free of cost. “Earlier, I had to depend on others for everything. Now I can do my own work,” she said.
Like Shahara, 60 other underprivileged people have also regained mobility through artificial limb support.
The initiative was funded by US-based multinational energy company Chevron in collaboration with Swisscontact’s Smile Project and JDRCH, under a project titled “Restoring Mobility: Artificial Limb Support Intervention.”
Rubel Ahmed, a beneficiary from Jalalpur in South Surma, said he used to work as a decorator. “In 2019, I lost one of my legs in an accident. My family depended on my income, and after the accident, we became helpless. I couldn’t move without support, had no income, and no one wanted to offer me a job,” he said.
However, Rubel managed to get a tailoring job, but working with one leg was extremely difficult. “Now, with the artificial leg, I can move almost normally again,” he added.
Four-and-a-half-year-old Tanisha, daughter of Masud and Lucky from Nabiganj in Habiganj, was suffering from a leg disability. Through the project, she is now on the path to recovery. Her grandmother, Reba, said Tanisha’s condition has improved significantly after treatment and expressed gratitude to those involved in the project.
Chevron’s Director of Corporate Affairs Muhammad Imrul Kabir said the project was implemented through third-party partners as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR). Beneficiaries were selected through an assessment process.
“Since Chevron operates in the Sylhet region, we have focused our activities here. The changes we’ve seen in 60 families through this project make us truly proud and happy,” he said.
Over 40% of Chevron’s gas production comes from Bibiyana in Habiganj where there is no government hospital nearby. To address this, Chevron operates two clinics in the area and also supports surgeries for cleft lip and cleft palate patients through Rotaplast, he added.
Chevron President and Managing Director Eric M. Walker highlighted the company’s community partnership initiatives, noting that nearly 80% of Bangladesh’s population has limited access to specialised healthcare services.
“We are pleased to provide such services to 60 women and men in the Sylhet region. As one of Bangladesh’s largest investors, we believe every step taken by the beneficiaries is a strong stride toward a better future,” he said.
Swisscontact Country Director Helal Hossain said the project began in December 2024 and has benefited 60 women, men, and young people. “This initiative has not only restored mobility but also enabled beneficiaries to participate in daily activities,” he added.
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