A dedicated orthopedist and his bone-fixing innovation

Amidst the sense of hopelessness and desperation among many people from the unrelenting violence which has claimed more than 4,300 lives for the past seven years, there are still people who have not lost hope but who also have the drive and energy for new innovations for the good of the people in the deep South.

          And one of these wonderful people is Dr Anuchit Jangwaiwit, an orthopedist at Pattani provincial hospital for the past 20 years.

          A trained orthopedist for over 20 years, Dr Anuchit has, in the past few years, devised a new tool to attach broken or fractured bones which is said to be more economical than imported ones, more elastic and more patient friendly.  The tool has since been refined and perfected that it has been recognized as an outstanding innovation by Phra Mongkut hospital.

          This new innovation has opened up a new dimension for bone surgery for patients who suffer from broken or fractured leg bone.

          Dr Anuchit explained that the normal practice of inserting stainless steel tool to attach together broken bones is more time consuming and more expensive than the use of his tool.  Moreover, he said the patients tend to suffer from stress after the steel tool was inserted into their legs and, in some cases, more than one surgery is needed which means the greater chances for complications.

          But for his new innovation, he said, in most cases, only one surgery was needed to fix the broken or fractured bones.  Within 1-3 months after the operation, the tissues will stick together and the wounds will mend quicker, he added..

          Asked about the reward in recognition of his innovation and his decision to stay put in the deep South despite the violence and insurgency threats, Dr Anuchit said he was proud of his achievement from his hard work.   But he quickly added that he was not after big money.

          Despite the fact that he has been working at Pattani provincial hospital for the past 30 years, Dr Anuchit was a native of northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province.  He was a graduate of Suan Kularb high school and received his medical degree from Chiang Mai University.  After graduation in 1984, he chose to work in Pattani and has never left ever since.