Since the beginning of a ruthless war in October 2023, Gaza has bled profusely as Israel has committed a series of genocidal acts that have put the region on the brink of utter ruin.
Innocent children have also had to bear Israel’s relentless brutality and viciousness. Among the 50,000+ Palestinians killed, nearly one-third of the victims were children.
Gaza also has one of the highest child amputation crises per capita in recent history. However, it appears that meaningful aid and relief have finally arrived courtesy of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Bioniks, a Karachi-based tech startup, delivered a 3D prosthetic arm to Gaza’s Sidra Al Bordeeni, a heartwarming gesture that has restored a young girl’s childhood.
Bioniks Delivered Prosthetics to a War Zone For the First Time
According to Bioniks’ CEO, Anas Niaz, the startup has built 1000+ custom-designed prosthetic arms in Pakistan since 2021, but the delivery to Sidra was their first in a conflict-torn region.
The 3D prosthetic limb was custom-built for Sidra more than 4000km away in Karachi. Bioniks uses a smartphone app to take pictures from multiple angles for their design.
Via remote consultations and virtual fittings, an arm, tailored to Sidra’s measurements and skin tone, was manufactured and shipped from Karachi through Jordan to Gaza.
Although the Pakistani tech company’s limbs are less advanced, a prosthetic arm costs $2,500, significantly less than American-made designs, which cost between $10,000 and $20,000.
Designing limbs for children in war-torn regions is a hassle. They need to be replaced every 12-18 months as kids may outgrow them, increasing costs. Furthermore, adult designs are more readily available.
Niaz is exploring future funding opportunities to finance future replacements for Sidra, adding that the cost would be kept low.
Pakistan Has Made a Massive Difference in Sidra’s Life
Last year, 8-year-old Sidra Al Bordeeni was injured during an Israeli strike at Nuseirat School, a shelter for refugees. Gaza’s collapsed healthcare system resulted in inadequate care, and her arm had to be amputated.
Bioniks’ 3D prosthetic life has restored her childhood and brought her close to normalcy for a girl her age.
Expressing gratitude, Sidra’s mother, Sabeen Al Bordeeni, said:
“She’s out playing, and all her friends and siblings are fascinated by her arm…I can’t express how grateful I am to see my daughter happy.”
Gaza needs help, and it’s a refreshing sight to see Pakistan contribute to the noble cause of making life easier for Gazan children.
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