Prosthetic Workshop Center Opens in Hlaingbwe Township

A prosthetic leg production center has been set up in Klo Yaw Lay area of Hlaingbwe Township on June 20, with the coordination of Kawthoolei Department of Health and Welfare and Mae Tao Clinic with support of donors from South Korea.

The building of the prosthetic workshop started in February 2016.

Padoh Saw Eh K’lu Shwe Oo, head of the KDHW told Karen News that the center is intended for anyone who is in need.

“It is for the people who were wounded and lost their limbs during the armed conflict. We will help them with prosthetic legs so that they can become mobile. This was done during the time of conflict and we want to do even more now as fighting to some extent has stopped.”

Padoh Eh K’lu Shwe Oo said that prosthetic work can still be carried out despite there are uncertainties about the future peace process.

“We haven’t had a genuine peace yet, but we can now do rehabilitation work. Now we have an appropriate place and have set up this prosthetic workshop for people who really need it.”

Padoh Eh K’lu Shwe Oo said that they plan to provide everyone in the Pa-an district who need prosthetic legs through its workshop and they are also planning to expand into other KNU controlled districts such as Doo Pla Ya and Papun (Mu Traw).

All the necessary materials for the prosthetic workshop have been supported by donors from Korea. Training courses will be given to KNLA soldiers who had lost their legs and also local civilians under the supervision of KDHW.

The opening ceremony of the prosthetic workshop center was held on June 20 and Dr. Cynthia Maung, director of Mae Tao Clinic, Padoh Saw Eh K’lu Shwe Oo, Head of KDHW, representatives of the South Korean donors (Korea – Mae Sot Cooperation Center), KNU Pa-an District officials, health workers, KNLA officers and local residents – over a hundred people attended.

Private Saw Sanaysoe from the KNLA’s battalion 21 told Karen News, “Whether it is for civilians or for the soldiers, this support will benefit the people who had lost their legs to be able to walk among other people.”