High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri feel proud as Pakistani prosthetic limbs reach victims in Gaza

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week expressed pride as Pakistani prosthetic limbs started reaching victims of war in Gaza.

“A proud moment of compassion: Pakistani-made prosthetic limbs are now reaching victims of war in Gaza, giving hope and mobility to those who need it most,” the envoy said in a post on X, citing the effort by Pakistani company Bioniks.

Bioniks uses a smartphone app to take pictures from different angles and create a 3D model for custom prosthetics.

CEO Anas Niaz said the social enterprise startup had fit more than 1,000 custom-designed arms inside Pakistan since 2021 – funded through a mix of patient payments, corporate sponsorship, and donations – but this was its first time providing prosthetics to those impacted in conflict.

Niaz said each prosthetic arm costs about $2,500, significantly less than the $10,000 to $20,000 for alternatives made in the United States.

While Bioniks’ arms are less sophisticated than US versions, they provide a high level of functionality for children and their remote process makes them more accessible than options from other countries such as Turkey and South Korea.

Globally, most advanced prosthetics are designed for adults and rarely reach children in war zones, who need lighter limbs and replacements every 12-18 months as they grow.