Dubai plans 3D printed limbs for just Dh400

Dubai - The focus will be on three major sectors - construction, medical products and consumer products.

Dubai will start producing artificial limbs using 3D printing for less than Dh400 by 2025, announced the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on Sunday.
The authority also plans to produce ceramic teeth in less than 20 minutes using the same technology.
"We also plan to produce ceramic teeth in less than 20 minutes, use 3D printing in orthopedic surgeries and create 3D printed casts, which will speed the healing process of patients by 40 to 80 per cent," said Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of DHA.
The DHA said that it has begun working on the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global capital of 3D printing technologies by 2030.
The focus will be on three major sectors - construction, medical products and consumer products.
The move is in line with the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy launched in April. Qattami said that the authority has begun determining the work methodology of making Dubai a global capital of 3D printing technologies by 2030-in medical services.
"The strategy ultimately aims to make Dubai excel in different medical surgeries," he added.
The strategy will focus on using 3D printing in biomedicine and will aim to develop medical 3D printed products and 3D-releated research.
Al Qatami said that the value of 3D printed medical products in Dubai is expected to exceed Dh1.3 billion by 2025.
"To meet the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, DHA has begun determining the work methodology, which ultimately aims to utilise technology for the service of humanity and promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a leading hub of 3D printing technology by 2030," he said.
Al Qatami said the strategy will focus on acquiring 3D technology to expand the production of 3D printing in different medical specialties and medical research as well as establish partnerships internally and externally to reinforce Dubai's position as a leader in producing and exporting medical 3D printed medical technology.
Saif Al Aleeli, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation said: "Using 3D printing in medical printing is important as it is considered to be one of the most important fields given its direct link to human life. Through these initiatives, we plan on using the latest technologies as well as partnering with organisations who have experience in the field of 3D printing to find solutions for medical challenges."
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com