By July 2025
In a dusty refugee camp in Jordan, eight-year-old Sidra Al Bordeeni rode a bicycle for the first time in over a year — her laughter rising above the hum of the wheels. The last time she had tried, she had two arms. A missile strike in Gaza took one of them. Today, she has a new one — a prosthetic arm built over 4,000 kilometres away in Karachi.
Sidra’s injury came when Israeli airstrikes turned Nuseirat School — where her family had sought shelter — into rubble. With Gaza’s health system in collapse and exit routes blocked, her hand could not be saved. Her mother, Sabreen, fought tears as she described the moment her daughter gripped the bike’s handles again.
“She’s outside playing like other kids,” she said on a phone call from the camp. “Everyone’s amazed by her new arm. I thank God for this miracle — to see her smiling again.”
That “miracle” came from Bioniks, a Pakistani tech startup that builds custom prosthetics using 3D scanning and modeling — all done through a simple smartphone app.
Karachi-Made, Gaza-Tested
Founded by Anas Niaz, Bioniks has fitted over 1,000 prosthetic arms across Pakistan since 2021. But this — Sidra’s arm — marks the company’s first delivery to a war-affected child outside the country.
The process began months ago with virtual consultations and remote fittings conducted entirely through video calls. Niaz and his team used photographs to generate a 3D model of Sidra’s remaining limb, allowing them to tailor a prosthetic that was lightweight and child-friendly.
Once the design was finalized, Niaz flew from Karachi to Amman to personally hand over Sidra’s arm — as well as another for three-year-old Habebat Allah, a child who lost both arms and a leg in Gaza.
Habebat’s device was paid for by donations from Pakistanis, while Sidra’s was funded by Mafaz Clinic in Amman. Mafaz’s director, Entesar Asaker, said the decision to work with Bioniks was easy: “They offered a low-cost solution, didn’t need travel for fittings, and could troubleshoot everything virtually. For war-affected children, that’s life-saving.”
Innovation Without Borders
While prosthetics made in the US often cost between $10,000 and $20,000, Bioniks’ arms come in at around $2,500. Though less technologically advanced, they offer sufficient functionality for young users — and are dramatically more accessible.
“In war zones, prosthetics often never arrive, especially for kids,” said Niaz. “We want to change that. We’re already planning to expand to other conflict-affected regions, including Ukraine.”
The challenge, he admitted, is sustainability. Children like Sidra and Habebat will outgrow their limbs within a year or so. But thanks to modular design, only a few components will need replacing.
“We’re exploring funding for future replacements,” he said. “Most parts can be reused — and what’s more, parts that aren’t can be recycled for another child.”
Prosthetics with Personality
To help children bond with their devices, Bioniks offers customization inspired by pop culture. One child received an Iron Man arm, another asked for Elsa from Frozen. Sidra chose a delicate pink bracelet — a small detail that made her new limb feel like a part of her, not just a tool.
For Sidra, this isn’t just about movement — it’s about connection. For much of the past year, she relied on others to help form a heart shape with her hands. Now, she can do it alone. The first photo she took with her new hand? A heart, sent to her father — who remains trapped in Gaza.
“When I see him,” she whispered, “I want to use both my arms to finally hug him.”
A Growing Crisis
According to the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA), Gaza is now facing one of the worst child-amputation crises per capita in recent history. Nearly 4,500 children have lost limbs since the war began in October 2023. Many face a future without mobility, schooling, or even basic dignity.
With hospitals destroyed and borders sealed, access to specialised care is virtually nonexistent. That’s where remote technologies — like those used by Bioniks — fill the gap.
“This kind of innovation isn’t just about technology,” said Asadullah Khan, a prosthetic expert based in the UK. “It’s about restoring dignity, one child at a time.”
