Médecins Sans Frontières Is Now 3D Printing Prosthetics for Syrian Amputees | Video
The Economist is reporting that Médecins Sans Frontières are trialing 3D printed prosthetics in their effort to help people who have lost limbs in the war in Syria. The pioneering technology is far cheaper and faster than conventional methods and could revolutionize the treatment of amputees around the world.
In a video reportage, the magazine highlights the case of Ahmed was 14 when he lost his arm in a barrel-bomb attack. He is one of thousands of civilians who have lost limbs in the Syrian conflict. Like other ventures before, such as Refugee Open Ware (ROW) and 3D LifePrints, Médecins Sans Frontières is now using 3D printers to make the prosthetic limbs. With 3D scanning and 3D printing, a custom limb takes 24 hours to make and costs a fifth of a conventional prosthetic.
The prosthetics are 3D printed in nearby Jordan, at the FabLab Irbid, on a battery of Ultimaker 3D printers.
