In Gaza, access to specialized rehabilitation equipment is extremely limited due to ongoing conflict, destruction of medical infrastructure, and severe restrictions on the entry of medical supplies.
Patients treated in MSF facilities frequently present with complex trauma injuries, including gunshot wounds and blast injuries, which can lead to peripheral nerve damage affecting hand function. These injuries, such as radial or ulnar nerve damage or brachial plexus injuries, can result in severe disability and loss of autonomy if not properly managed.
In Gaza, rehabilitation teams are working under highly constrained conditions to respond to these urgent needs. Due to the limited availability of standard rehabilitation devices, an Occupational Therapist from the MSF team has developed a locally adapted dynamic hand splint, sometimes using simple materials such as elastic rubber bands.
This improvised device supports patients with wrist drop and loss of finger movement, helping restore functional hand use. It represents a practical response to both the high number of trauma-related injuries and the lack of access to appropriate medical equipment, enabling patients to regain autonomy in their daily lives.