And, he’s back! Mumbai man gets prosthetic limb a year after losing his leg while saving 30 lives

Naveed Duste has to undergo physiotherapy for another few weeks

Ab main chal sakta hoon, apne pairon par khada ho sakta hoon. Now I need a job, to support my family," said 35-year-old Naveed Duste earlier this week during his daily physiotherapy in Panvel. Nearly a year after the collapse of Tarique Garden building in Mahad on August 24, Duste is still praised for his bravery which led to 30 people being saved. On Tuesday, he was fitted with an imported silicone prosthetic leg.

Just as he was rescuing an elderly woman, Duste got trapped under a slab as the building was collapsing. The crushing blow led his right leg to be amputated.

Duste was given a prosthetic leg on Tuesday and has to undergo physiotherapy for another few weeks. "My confidence is restored. I will look for a means of earning to support my ailing father and family. Life without a limb cannot be expressed in words. I spent the past few months doing nothing. With the prosthetic leg, I feel I can do something," he said.

Since the collapse, Duste and his family have been staying with relatives as his rented residence in Mahad has been sealed for repairs. After the collapse of Tarique Garden, the municipal council and district administration started checking all buildings. Al Qasim building, where Duste's family was living on rent, was found to be in bad shape and families were asked to vacate.

Duste added, "It pinches you when you realise that you need to depend on someone for the rest of your life. I was fortunate to get a prosthetic limb."

"I want to stay in my own house and do not want to strain my relatives. They all have been very supportive. I am a licenced electrician and educated till Std X. Now I need to focus on starting afresh," Duste said.

When asked about any instance when the realisation of being disabled hit him, Duste recalled a night soon after his discharge from the hospital, when he woke up in the middle of the night to answer nature's call. "I kept my left leg on the floor and attempted to stand but I couldn't feel my right leg. I almost lost my balance. And then it hit me that my right leg was gone," Duste said.

"I want to forget the entire episode of the building collapse. But one thing is certain, if I find myself in a similar situation again, I will still help as many people as I can. I have got a new lease of life, and it is only because of the prayers of all those I saved," Duste.

About the prosthesis

Duste was called by the doctor a few months ago to try an artificial limb but it did not match well and was rejected by him and the doctor. "A few weeks ago, my measurements were taken once again and I was called for a trial on June 22. The doctors at Apollo Hospitals tried the new imported silicone prosthesis, which is much better and more comfortable," Duste said. "I still have slight pain when I walk but this will be temporary. I feel both my legs on the ground and I am overwhelmed by the new experience," Duste added.

Financial condition

Duste's brother-in-law, Parvez Kauchali, 45, said, "Duste was his family's sole breadwinner. Some good Samaritans donated Rs 1.50 lakh and support from relatives helped his family stay afloat." The state government, local politicians and Apollo Hospitals doctors and management together ensured that Duste's medical bills were waived. "We are completely indebted to them. We were told that the local administration was to provide some financial aid, but have no details," Kauchali said.

Aditi Tatkare, state and guardian minister of Raigad, said, "I want to thank Duste for saving the lives of all those people. I am happy that he is back on his feet. Depending on his fitness, the extent of the strain he can take and the nature of work that he would fit in, I will surely help him get a job or alternate source of living."

What doctors say

Dr Prashant Agarwal, consultant, orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, said, "The imported silicone prosthesis foot gives a sensation like a normal foot, especially at the ankle landings, which is more comfortable."

Dr Agarwal added, "Duste can not only walk and run, but also climb a mountain. We did trials with a few other prostheses, but Duste was most comfortable with this one." Dr Agarwal added that the prosthetic limb was donated by a good Samaritan known to him. Such imported limbs usually cost over R3.60 lakh and can be used for 15 years.