×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands Daily
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download App

Bionic limbs lift self-esteem of amputees

Ahmed Abu Hamda, 36, who lost his right hand in 2007, is shown how to use his newly-installed myoelectric limb at the Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani Rehabilitation and Prosthetics Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip on April 13, 2022. [Reuters]

A "smart" prosthetic hand that mimics human anatomy and motion has allowed Ahmed Abu Hamda to play with his children and regain self-esteem, part of a new project in Palestine's Gaza Strip, where conflict with Israel has left hundreds without limbs.

Since March, a Qatari-funded hospital in Gaza has been providing myoelectric prostheses, motorised devices powered by batteries and controlled by electrical signals generated by muscles.

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.
Fact‑first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimized reading experience
  • Weekly Newsletters
  • MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Already a subscriber? Log in