Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 31 May, 2017: Under the patronage of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and in partnership with Arab Health, a unique international collaboration sees fruition this Ramadan as a Dubai resident receives the region’s first ever fully 3D printed prosthetic leg.

His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA, said: “ In line with the vision His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the DHA has prioritised fostering the development of future technologies such as 3D printing in healthcare. Our 3D printing strategy is in line with UAE’s 3D Printing Strategy. We are keen to bring in the latest technology in medicine to further bolster patient-centric care and improve the lives of our patients to the best extent possible. We consider the private sector to be our partner in our endeavours to further strengthen and develop the health sector of Dubai and such collaborative efforts go a long way in bringing modern excellence to the health sector in the Emirate.”

Dr Mohammad Al Redha, the Director of the Executive Office for Organisational Transformation at DHA. “Projects like this help us pave the way towards a more integrated and sustainable healthcare system – this is a truly unique collaboration that allows us to see the most modern technology emerge and become a reality. This is a learning curve for everyone engaged and part of the foundation of future 3D printing research and development work in the UAE. This initiative is part of the 3D Khair initiative in line with the Year of Giving 2017.”

According to Pyotr Bakass, Sponsorship Manager of Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, “Informa is a leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events company and our purpose is to bring knowledge to life. One of our flagship events, Arab Health, brings the best healthcare innovation and treatment techniques to the region. This year we partnered with the DHA to showcase the amazing potential that 3D printing technology has for the healthcare industry. Revealed at Arab Health 2017 was the region’s first custom prosthetic leg, especially designed and fully 3D printed in the DHA colours with logo. It was created to inspire innovation and to illustrate what technology can achieve today. This partnership is the initiation of our commitment to contribute to the DHA’s 3D Printing Strategy and we are proud to sponsor the region’s first fully 3D printed prosthetic leg”.

The DHA and Arab Health facilitated the creation and donation of the prosthetic device in conjunction with Prosfit (Bulgaria), Mecuris (Germany), and Mediclinic (UAE). Through the combined efforts of all organisations in achieving a united goal, a Dubai resident is now the proud owner of a new prosthetic leg, fully printed by 3D technology. 

With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Sebastian Giede, Certified Orthopaedic Prosthetist with Mediclinic, worked with the fully 3D printed device for the first time, stating “the potential of 3D printing in the field of prosthetic devices is huge. It allows for faster turnaround times, more personalisation in terms of both design and functionality, as well as great flexibility when it comes to replacement.”

The 3D printed prosthetic leg was donated to Belinda Gatland, a British expat who has been an amputee for more than 10 years - her life changed dramatically after a horse riding accident at the age of 22. With subsequent necrosis (premature death of tissue or bone cells) leaving her in immense pain, she ultimately had to have her left leg amputated. Belinda has been an equine physiotherapy specialist for over 23 years.