• A Pakistani firm is using remote 3D modelling to create prosthetic limbs for injured Gaza children.
• The custom arms cost less and don’t require in-person fittings.

Eight-year-old Sidra Al Bordeeni hadn’t ridden a bike in over a year. A missile strike in Gaza took her arm while she and her family were sheltering at a school-turned-refuge, according to Reuters. Now living in a Jordanian refugee camp, she’s back on two wheels with the help of a new prosthetic limb.

Her mother, Sabreen, said the injury happened during an airstrike on Nuseirat School. The family couldn’t leave Gaza, and healthcare services had broken down, leaving no way to save her daughter’s hand. “She’s outside playing again,” Sabreen said. “All the other kids are curious about her new arm. I’m just thankful she’s happy again.”

The prosthetic was made in Karachi by Bioniks, a company in Pakistan that builds custom artificial limbs using 3D modelling. The process starts with a smartphone app that takes images from multiple angles to create a design tailored to each user.

Since 2021, Bioniks has made over a thousand prosthetic arms in Pakistan. Most were for patients inside the country, paid for by individuals, companies, and donations. This is the company’s first project involving people affected by conflict abroad.

Sidra and another young girl, three-year-old Habebat Allah, received their prosthetics after going through online consultations and fittings. Habebat lost both arms and a leg in Gaza. Bioniks CEO Anas Niaz later flew to Amman to meet them and deliver the devices in person.

This isn’t Bioniks’ first experience building prosthetics for children. In 2016, the company produced Pakistan’s first 3D-printed prosthetic arm for a five-year-old named Mir Bayyan.

Mir’s father had contacted the team to ask if they could help his son, and Bioniks agreed to design the arm using an Xplorer 3D printer and an open-source model from UK-based group Team UnLimbited. The design was customised with an Iron Man theme—Mir’s favourite superhero—and even included a small light beam in the palm to resemble the character’s energy blast.

Sidra’s arm was sponsored by Mafaz Clinic in Amman, while Habebat’s was paid for by donations from Pakistan. Mafaz CEO Entesar Asaker said they worked with Bioniks because the company’s tools are affordable, remote-friendly, and allow for virtual troubleshooting.

Each Bioniks arm costs around $2,500. That’s lower than the $10,000 to $20,000 price tag of U.S.-made prosthetics. While less complex than high-end models, Bioniks’ arms still offer key functions for children, and the remote process makes them more accessible compared to prosthetics made in countries like Turkey and South Korea.

“We’re planning to expand to other conflict zones like Ukraine,” Niaz said. “The goal is to become a global provider.”

Children in war zones often don’t receive prosthetics because most designs are made for adults. Kids also need replacements every year or so as they grow, which adds to the cost. Niaz said Bioniks is looking into funding options for future replacements for Sidra and Habebat. Most of the parts, he added, can be reused to help another child.

To make the devices more relatable for kids, the company sometimes includes design elements from cartoons or movies. Past examples have included characters like Iron Man or Elsa. Niaz said it can make the adjustment easier and encourages regular use.

Growing need, limited access

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has left thousands of children with amputations. The U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA estimates there are now around 4,500 new amputees in Gaza, on top of roughly 2,000 existing cases before the current conflict. A large share are children.

An April report from the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics estimated that more than 7,000 children have been injured since Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023. Local authorities say the death toll has passed 50,000, with children making up about a third of the total.

Gaza’s healthcare system has been pushed to the brink. According to the World Health Organization, ongoing border closures and supply shortages have left hospitals unable to treat patients properly, especially those with complex injuries.

“Remote services help when medical travel isn’t possible,” said Asadullah Khan, who manages ProActive Prosthetic in the UK. “People can still get assessments and fittings without needing to visit a clinic.”

While Bioniks is working to bring this kind of model to more places, funding remains a challenge, and the company is still in the early stages of building long-term partnerships.

Sidra is still getting used to the prosthetic. She’s added a bracelet to the wrist and has started doing things she couldn’t before—like forming a heart shape with her hands. She used to ask others to complete it for her. Now, she does it herself, snapping a photo to send to her father, who remains in Gaza.

“What I’m waiting for,” she said, “is the day I can use both arms to hug my dad.”