Limb & Life is a collective of researchers dedicated to describing pressing challenges in rehabilitation services, especially in prosthetic & orthotic (P&O) care.
Our group consists of both Gaza-based and academics, healthcare and public health professionals, researchers, engineers, and humanitarian partners across the world including members based at MIT.
Our work begins in Gaza, Palestine, where we are committed to investigating the current state of knowledge on the critical ambulatory and mobility needs of individuals affected by limb loss and severe limb injuries, as well as the supply chain, infrastructure, technology, and education needs of local health systems.
Through research and education, we aim to support evidence-based rehabilitation care, provision of assistive technology devices such as prosthetic limbs and to support the development of locally-led systems of care that reduce dependence on international aid and ensure lifelong rehabilitative support.
Our motivation stems from the incredible humanitarian need for rehabilitation services in Gaza. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 25% of people injured in Gaza need long-term rehabilitation care, with between 13,455 and 17,550 suffering from severe limb injuries. The United Nations reports over 4,500 children have undergone amputations in Gaza, making the region home to the largest number of child amputees in the world. Limb & Life Collective is driven to amplify and center these critical needs.