Lebanon's bittersweet expertise in prosthetics helps amputees
As a result of past conflicts in Lebanon, organizations and government ministries have created a prosthetics sector that continues to advance and using its knowledge to assist not only Lebanese, but also Syrian refugee victims of war and those with congenital disabilities.
Hussein Ghandour moves quickly through the prosthetic workshop at the Nabih Berri Rehabilitation Compound (NBRC) in Sarafand, Lebanon, where he has worked building prostheses and orthoses since 2000. He demonstrates each step in making a prosthetic limb, from casting to the final result. Using only his right hand, Ghandour guides a sander to shave a colorful orthopedic device for a child.
Ghandour, 34, is used to working with only the right side of his body. He stepped on a land mine when he was seven years old and lost the bottom half of his right leg and his right arm. Nonetheless, Ghandour's life is normal. He is married, plays on a soccer team, has a job and recently welcomed his first son, Ali, into the world. For him, life is good.
The various conflicts marking Lebanon’s history have left deadly traces behind. The country’s 15-year civil war (1975-90), repeated invasions and attacks by Israel and the spillover from the current conflict in Syria have all contributed to making Lebanon a country of people who once were and are again in desperate need of life-saving and life-altering prosthetic devices.
Although mine injuries in Lebanon have dwindled to less than one victim per month, emergency programs are being set up to meet the urgent needs of Syrian refugees coming across the border with war injuries or congenital conditions requiring prostheses. The Lebanese face many challenges in managing and meeting this renewed demand.
