Under Blockade, Gaza’s Doctors to Unveil the First-Ever Locally Made 3D-printed External Fixator, Built with Solar Power and Recycled Materials
PRESS CONFERENCE
2 December 2025 - 9 am ET/4 pm EET (Gaza)
https://l.glia.org/press-conference
Gaza Strip, Palestine/London, Ontario, Canada – In an unprecedented breakthrough for medical innovation under siege, Glia, a medical solidarity organization, has developed and deployed the first external fixator (a critical orthopedic device for severe fractures) ever designed and manufactured entirely inside the Gaza Strip. Created using local materials, 3D printing, recycled plastics, and solar power, the device has already saved three patients from possible amputation or permanent disability amid the near-total collapse of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure and blockade on medical imports.
This achievement comes as over 90% of Gaza’s health facilities are damaged or destroyed, and conventional external fixators — costing upwards of $500 and requiring specialized imports — have become unobtainable due to the Israeli blockade. With hospitals overwhelmed, electricity scarce, and supply chains severed, Glia’s fixator represents a lifeline born from necessity.
Built On A Solid Foundation:
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Palestinian doctors and engineers have experienced decades of hardship under Israeli occupation and are experts at navigating their low-resource environment
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A previous project in collaboration with Imperial College London laid the groundwork for these important developments, including designing and testing the first versions of the 3D printed parts.
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International organizations like Glia are committed to building capacity rather than band-aid solutions.
How Gaza Built the Unthinkable:
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Local Materials: Plastics are harvested from recycled materials, processed and repurposed inside Gaza.
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Energy Independence: 3D printers are powered entirely on solar energy, bypassing Gaza’s complete lack of electricity and full blackout since the genocide began.
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Open-Source Design: The fixator’s design is openly shared so it can be replicated worldwide in low-resource and crisis settings
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Clinical Use: Three patients have received the fixator since August 2025. All are healing well with restored limb function, avoiding amputation. Twelve more patients are currently queued for treatment.
“This is one of the most innovative projects I’ve seen – it combines locally reclaimed materials with Palestinian ingenuity and creates a badly needed piece of medical equipment for some of the most injured patients we see in the emergency department,” Dr. Tarek Loubani, Emergency Physician who spent 3 months in Gaza’s emergency departments this summer
“The blockade must end. Until then, I am constantly surprised at the perseverance and steadfastness of Palestinian doctors and health care workers. They will do everything possible to improve care for their patients,” Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and Professor of Conflict Medicine at the American University of Beirut..
Why This Matters:
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Speed: Manufactured locally within hours, critical since infection risk escalates within days.
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Sovereignty: Empowers local healthcare workers as innovators, not dependent on blocked imports.
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Global Relevance: Demonstrates that decentralized, context-driven medical technology can thrive in extreme conditions: a blueprint for conflict zones, disaster areas and climate-impacted regions globally.
Speaking from Gaza, Canada, and Lebanon:
Dr. Deirdre Nunan: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr FH Wigmore Hospital, Canada
Jen Wilson: Director of Manufacturing & Design, Glia, Canada
Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Prof. of Conflict Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Dr. Faidl Naim: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Acting Director General of Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Gaza
Dr. Dorotea Gucciardo, PhD: Director of Development, Glia, Canada
Glia emphasizes that this project was co-designed, prototyped, and manufactured by Palestinian engineers and medical staff within Gaza, Canada, and the United Kingdom using tools and materials realistically accessible under blockade conditions. The organization rejects framing this work as "aid," instead asserting it as Palestinian-led innovation for Palestinian survival.
To support this project, please donate at Launchgood.com/Glia4Gaza.
Media Contact: info@glia.org
Available Media
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Download Press Release as PDF Download Release as Editable Text |
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Glia's External Fixator Banner Image
Source: Glia Gaza Office – 2025 |
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Glia's External Fixator Kit of Parts |
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Patient #1 Post Surgery Recovery 1 Source: Glia Gaza Office – 2025 |
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Patient #1 Post Surgery Recovery 2 Source: Glia Gaza Office – 2025 |
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Patient #2 Post Surgery Recovery Source: Glia Gaza Office – 2025 |
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About Glia:
Glia is an international medical solidarity organization founded in 2013. We work with communities in Gaza and beyond to develop open-source, context-appropriate medical technologies that bypass systemic barriers to care. Our mission is to empower local healthcare systems through solidarity and innovation, not charity. Learn more: glia.org