{"id":4544,"date":"2016-11-23T07:17:00","date_gmt":"2016-11-23T07:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimakerstage.wpengine.com\/learn\/"},"modified":"2023-12-13T13:59:55","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T13:59:55","slug":"changing-lives-in-developing-countries-with-3d-printed-prosthetics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimaker.com\/fr\/learn\/changing-lives-in-developing-countries-with-3d-printed-prosthetics\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing lives in developing countries with 3D printed prosthetics"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"VHP<\/div>\n

Changing lives in developing countries with 3D printed prosthetics<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n

3D printing offers limitless new possibilities, no matter what part of the world it is introduced in. The\u00a0Victoria Hand Project\u00a0creates customized prosthetic hands for amputees in third world countries \u2013 using Ultimaker 3D printers to make the process more efficient and cost-effective. Here\u2019s some further details about the benefits of using 3D printing, and the unique challenges that the Victoria Hand Project faces.<\/p><\/div>\n

Prosthetic creation – before 3D printing<\/h2>\n

Before 3D printing, creating prosthetics for people in developing countries was incredibly challenging. The remote location of communities meant that exporting materials was expensive. In addition, lack of resources and poor working conditions also made it difficult to create suitable prostheses.<\/p>\n

Nepal is just one example. Before the Victoria Hand Project got established there, 72.5% of Nepalese amputees had no access to prosthetics.<\/p><\/section>\n

\"Power-Outage-Day\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n

People with disabilities have high expectations of the prosthetist and the prosthesis itself, as they\u2019ve seen it online and they expect the same in their country. However, accessibility is low, and hi-tech prosthetics are not affordable for the people. 80% of the disabled population lives in poverty, and the healthcare professionals are limited in rehabilitation management.\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Likewise, in Cambodia, it\u2019s easy to obtain a prosthetic hand if required, but they\u2019re generally only for cosmetic use \u2013 and cannot be used to perform practical tasks. Many farmers, for example, have lost limbs due to landmines or other ordnances, and choose not to get a replacement limb, due to its lack of functionality.<\/p>\n

The Victoria Hand Project<\/h2>\n

After receiving a grant from Grand Challenges Canada, the\u00a0Victoria Hand Project team was finally able to start offering 3D printed prostheses to people in developing countries. They are now working in several locations, creating customized prosthetics for amputees using 3D printing technology. Ultimaker donated four\u00a0Ultimaker 2+ 3D printers<\/a>\u00a0to help them achieve their goals. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s just a few details about the work they\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n