A man who was mauled by a leopard four years ago will receive a distinct upgrade to his life when he is fitted with a prosthetic arm with fingers.
In 2009, Bhini Khanyile, 66, was herding cattle when he was attacked by the cat.
He lost part of his right arm and the use of his left hand.
Khanyile, who has since relied on his wife and family to help him with day-to-day activities, said he could not wait to be fitted with his new arm so he could hold his own glass of water.
The KZN Department of Health stepped in after hearing of his plight and offered to give him a new prosthetic arm with fingers.
The manager of the prosthesis unit at Wentworth Hospital, Moroka Macala, said on Thursday that Khanyile’s prosthetic arm had been completed and he expected to fit it in the next few days.
“Khanyile currently depends on his wife to help him with everything as he does not have the use of his hands. One had to be amputated and the other has no functionality,” he said.
“With the new prosthetic arm we hope he will gain some of his independence back.”
Macala said the arm was made of acrylic resin.
A catalyst was also added to promote the grip and movement of the hand, he said.
“Once fitted with the hand, he will be trained on how to use it, including holding a cup and combing his hair.”
Occupational and physiotherapists will also help Khanyile to adjust to his new arm.
“I can make very beautiful hands and legs, but if the patient cannot use them they will remain as beautiful furniture. This is why we need the therapist. They assess the functioning of the limb and ensure patients can use it properly,” Macala said.
“He lost his dignity after the incident and we hope that the new arm will restore some of it, because we know it has not been easy for him,” he said.
The KZN Head of Department for Health, Dr Sibongile Zungu, said the main purpose of prosthetic limbs was to restore the dignity of affected people.
“When people lose their limbs, they also lose their dignity when they are unable to do the things that they could previously do.
“Prosthetic limbs bring back some normality in their lives,” she explained.
Zungu said Khanyile, from Ulundi in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, would require a lot of support after he was fitted with the arm.
“Because of his age, it will probably take about six months for him to learn everything. It’s a long process, but the most important thing is that he will get his life back,” she said.
An excited Khanyile said he could not wait for his new arm.
“I just want to be able to hold my own glass of water and so many other things I could not do in the past,” he said.
“It’s amazing what people can do. I am very happy and very grateful. This has not been easy for me and my family. I am happy that my situation will now change for the better at last,” he said.