Ukrainian amputees affected by the war are receiving custom-made prosthetic limbs in Budapest in as little as 24 hours thanks to a major international humanitarian initiative that combines Saudi funding, Hungarian expertise and volunteer medical teams.

The programme, launched by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in cooperation with Hungarian orthopaedic specialist GYSGY REHA Kft., aims to provide comprehensive care for around 100 Ukrainian patients in Hungary this year.

The first 20 beneficiaries received their new prosthetic limbs on Wednesday at Budapest’s Pillangó Health Centre, where the project’s organisers, medical professionals and diplomats gathered to mark the milestone, Blikk reported.

A process that normally takes weeks completed in a single day in Budapest

One of the most remarkable aspects of the initiative is the speed at which patients receive their prosthetics. Traditionally, producing a custom-made prosthetic limb can take anywhere from one to several weeks, with some cases requiring months of adjustments and follow-up appointments. Using an advanced direct lamination technique, however, specialists involved in the programme can complete measurements, manufacturing and fitting within a single day.

According to Zoltán Unger, the Hungarian coordinator of the programme, the accelerated procedure represents a significant technological breakthrough.

“The measurement and manufacturing process takes place on the same day. This allows us to treat 15 to 20 patients within a single week,” he explained.

The method is supported by a team of five to six volunteer specialists from Saudi Arabia who regularly use the technology in humanitarian missions around the world. Hungarian technicians and orthopaedic experts also contribute to the work.

Not only soldiers among the beneficiaries

Although many patients have suffered injuries related to the war, organisers emphasised that the programme is not limited to military personnel. Among those receiving assistance are civilians whose lives have been permanently altered by the conflict. Some lost limbs in direct attacks, while others suffered injuries in accidents or incidents made more difficult to treat because of the immense strain on Ukraine’s healthcare system.

One patient reportedly lost both legs in a train accident, while another lost a hand following a Russian drone attack. The ongoing war has dramatically increased the number of people requiring prosthetic care, while at the same time reducing the capacity of Ukrainian healthcare providers to deliver long-term rehabilitation and specialist treatment. As a result, many patients are now receiving care in neighbouring countries.

Comprehensive support beyond the prosthetic limb

The humanitarian programme covers far more than the production of prosthetic devices. Partner organisations in Ukraine identify eligible patients and arrange their transport to Budapest using specially equipped vehicles. Accommodation, medical care, fittings, follow-up examinations and personalised adjustments are all provided free of charge.

Organisers say that more than half of the members of the first group have already successfully learned to walk again using their new prosthetic limbs. Each device is individually designed according to the patient’s specific needs, taking into account the type of amputation, the condition of the residual limb and the patient’s physical capabilities.

International cooperation with global impact

The Budapest initiative is the 15th international stop in a broader humanitarian programme run by KSrelief. Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Hungary, Majid bin Abdulaziz Al-Abdan, personally attended the handover ceremony and visited the workshop where the prosthetics are produced. He thanked both the Hungarian and international teams for their efforts in providing rapid and effective assistance to those in need.

The Saudi humanitarian organisation has already funded 30 projects in Ukraine worth nearly USD 94 million, primarily focusing on healthcare and medical support. The Budapest programme will continue in four additional phases over the coming months, with the goal of helping 100 Ukrainian amputees regain mobility, independence and a chance to rebuild their lives after devastating loss.

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