Photo : BSS

CUMILLA, August 2, 2025 (BSS) - In a landmark medical breakthrough, doctors in Cumilla have successfully performed the district's first finger transplantation surgery, marking a significant step forward for specialized healthcare services outside major urban centers.

Ashraful Alam, a Bangladeshi expatriate and professional driver, lost his left thumb in a road accident while working in Saudi Arabia. In a complex procedure, surgeons restored the functionality of his hand through a toe-to-thumb transfer, giving him a new lease on life and renewed hope for thousands facing similar trauma.

Ashraful Alam, a professional driver, suffered a severe injury in 2024 that resulted in the loss of his left thumb. Following the accident, he struggled with daily activities and sought treatment at various hospitals. 

While some advised amputation, others recommended costly procedures abroad. Later, he went to Cumilla's Peoples Hospital, where finally found hope.

According to hospital sources, on Friday, August 1, a three-member surgical team, led by Dr. Kamrul Islam Mamun, conducted a seven-hour-long operation. They transplanted the second toe from Ashraful's left foot to the site of his missing thumb. 

In the post-surgery, doctors confirmed that the nerves are functioning and blood circulation in the replanted finger is normal.

Dr. Kamrul said, "This is the first re-plantation of its kind in Cumilla. While there have been cases of reattaching severed limbs, transplanting an organ from one part of the body to another are unprecedented here. It marks a new dawn in our healthcare capabilities."

He added, "The procedure was highly complex and time-consuming. We had initially informed the patient of a 50 percent success rate. By the grace of Almighty Allah, we succeeded. The transplanted thumb is gradually adapting to the body and is expected to become fully functional within a few weeks."

Dr. Kawsar Hamid, Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Cumilla Central Medical College Hospital, said, "Such a surgery is unprecedented for a district-level hospital. It's not just a milestone for Cumilla but a breakthrough for Bangladesh's healthcare system."

Following the transplant, Ashraful Alam shared his experience: "I visited many hospitals in Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. Everyone said it would cost crores abroad. I never imagined I'd get my thumb back in Cumilla. Driving was my profession to live, and I had lost that. Now, it feels like I've got my thumb and my life back."

Cumilla Civil Surgeon Dr. Ali Nur Mohammad Bashir Ahmad commented, "This complex surgery sets a new benchmark for district-level healthcare. It will allow ordinary citizens to access advanced medical services at lower costs within the country, reducing dependency on foreign treatment and significantly cutting expenses."