3D printing offers prosthetics to Syrians after years of war
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In Syria, centers are using 3D printing to create affordable prosthetics for the nearly three million people wounded during the country’s ongoing conflict.
Years of fighting and landmines have left approximately 86,000 Syrians as amputees, many unable to afford or access the necessary prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation. Traditional methods of producing prosthetics are slow and expensive, creating significant barriers for those in need.
Several facilities in Idlib province and elsewhere are now employing 3D printing technology to rapidly manufacture prosthetics at a lower cost. Alaa Sabri, an orthopedics technician, explained that traditional manufacturing methods are no longer sufficient given the scale of the need, and the shift to digital scanning and 3D printing has streamlined the process. These workshops utilize solar power and inexpensive 3D printers from China, prioritizing local maintenance and repair.
The technology allows technicians to create customized prosthetics quickly, in about a day, and at a significantly reduced cost. For example, a 3D-printed prosthesis now costs around $100, while conventional options previously cost around $500. Rawan al Beirouti, a prosthetist and physiotherapist, emphasized that these devices restore not just physical function, but also dignity and hope to those impacted by the war, though the system still requires expanded access to equipment, materials, and trained specialists.
