MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 12: Zarin Gull was on his motorbike in Talagang town district Shaklee when a speeding vehicle coming from the opposite side set off a dreadful phase of his life in 2008.

His left leg was severed from above his knee following the head on collision, reducing him to bed for months. Dependent on crutches, the 26-year-old thought his life would now remain the same.

However, after spending more than a year in this condition, he was elated when an acquaintance told him of a rehabilitation centre in Muzaffarabad which could bring his life back to normal without any cost.

He then arrived at the Physical Rehabilitation Centre (MPRC) Muzaffarabad along the Mirwaiz Road in the old part of the city.

That was the beginning of change in his life. After assessing and registering him, the MPRC finally fixed an artificial leg within six months, enabling him to start a routine life. In the meantime, he also tied the nuptial knots.

“This centre was a blessing. It restored my life without costing me anything. Otherwise, I would have to pay Rs300,000 to Rs400,000 for the treatment,” he told Dawn at MPRC.

Gull had returned here to undergo physiotherapy as his artificial limb needed a minor fixation by technicians. “Tomorrow I will return home, happy and satisfied,” he said.

The MPRC came into existence under a construction agreement in April 2006 between the AJK Health Department and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to serve disabled people in need of rehabilitation.

It became operational in July 2007 at a cost of Rs 135.15 million and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. It has an annual cost of Rs72 million.

In the physiotherapy section, many patients had similar stories to tell.

Zahid Salim, 24, a resident of Sialkot, was crossing a road in Saudi Arabia when he met an accident and remained in coma for one and a half years during which his right leg was amputated.

In June this year, he was informed of MPRC and he went there to seek treatment.

“I just cannot thank them enough. I had lost all hopes of living a normal life, but now these hopes have revived,” he said.

According to ICRC communication officer Najam ul Saqib Abbasi, the MPRC has provided more than 26,000 physically disabled people from across Pakistan with artificial limbs and physiotherapy.

In addition, the centre also provided supporting devices for amputees and mobility aids such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs, he said. He added that the centre also dealt with disabilities caused from polio, congenital deformities, clubfoot, spine problems and paralyses.

Quetta and Peshawar are also home to such centres, but the MPRC is distinct as it offers free lodgings, food and laundry facilities to patients and their attendants on its premises.

According to MPRC Director Dr Bilal Zafar, the centre had 5 qualified practitioners of prosthetics whereas 9 technicians were attached.

A ceremony was also held on the MPRC premises marked its handing over by the ICRC to the AJK government as an autonomous institute.

“The ICRC has fulfilled its commitment to establish and operate the centre and hand it over to the people of the region,” said Anthony Duncan Dalziel, ICRC’s head of operations for South Asia.

“The centre also symbolises the strong relationship between the ICRC and the people of Pakistan,” he added.

AJK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said, “This centre is a valuable gift from ICRC. The government will lend every possible support to ensure disabled people are helped.” Dr Zafar said the ICRC intended to cover 100 per cent cost of MPRC for the next 2-5 years. However, patients prayed the services continued with the same standards.

“It is a centre of optimism for us. Whoever runs it now, the service should be at par,” said Iman Batool, 11, an earthquake survivor who had come from nearby Patikka Village to attend the ceremony.