Image credit- The amazing easy/cheap 3D-printer creating new limbs for Uganda's Amputees
Preface:
We can not emphasize the more on how Technology is making our lives easier, but third world countries (Developing nations) seems not to have enough access to all of this benefits from Technology. The cost of Prosthetic limbs is certainly prohibitive for many countries in Africa, Asia and some other parts of the World. Briefly let us look at what the word Prosthesis means before moving on in today's blog.
Medicinally, Prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part, which may be lost through Trauma, diseases or congenital conditions................Wikipedia
Typically, making a prosthetic leg would take about one week, but there aren't even enough prosthetist on the continent of Africa as mentioned, this process is magnificently valuable to amputees; giving them some sort of hope and a sense of belonging.
Subjects/patients
For people missing some parts of their bodies- arm or leg; this artificial prototype limbs can be a sort of replacement for them, although it might be not be like the original missing body parts. It helps amputees carry out some of their daily tasks e.g. walking, dressing up, eating and at times participate in sporting events.
Prosthesis are usually designed and coupled as per the body system of the subject/patient i.e. body functionality and structure. The patient's aim and financial strength helps to determine the type of devices to be fixed during this process.
Statistics
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that, there about 30 million people around the World who requires prosthetic limbs and mobility devices, yet less than 20% have them and a little above 3% in Africa. That is in the ratio of 1:100 in total of the world population of prosthetic patients.
Benefits for Ugandans
What about countries that can not afford this? Reports from Uganda, East-Africa indicates that a 3D printing Technology is building limbs for amputees for free and in less than 24 hours!
HOW?:
The software used are available for free, firstly the tump of the original limb is scanned and then the software is used to design a custom socket which is then used by the 3D printing device to fabricate a new 3D limb for the beneficiary all under 24 hours!