As Bangladesh grapples with a rising number of road accidents and the resulting injuries, the need for artificial limbs has soared, leading to a boom in the prosthetics industry.

While advanced prosthetics are still imported, local manufacturers are quickly making their mark by producing high-quality limbs that are gaining traction.

A bustling hub for prosthetic services has emerged in the Shyamoli area, near the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (NITOR).

More than 10 private centers here offer a range of services, including limb transplants, and stock a variety of surgical items like orthopedic belts, cervical collars, and walkers.

Leading the charge in the private sector is BRAC, whose Limb and Brace Fitting Centre has fitted over 6,800 people with artificial limbs since 2008.

"There is no study available on the market size of artificial limbs in Bangladesh," notes Dr. Md Shahinul Haque Ripon, senior program manager at the center.

"However, the rising demand for artificial limbs has spurred the establishment of many local manufacturing facilities," notes Dr. Ripon.

Among other major private players is Dynamic Limb Center, showcasing a wide range of products, from sophisticated options like Proprio Foot and C-walk to standard plastic limbs and various joints.

Dynamic Limb Center's showroom boasts a wide range of products, from sophisticated options like the Proprio Foot and C-walk to more standard plastic limbs and various joints.

According to Abu Sayeed, the company's Director of Marketing and Sales, they possess their own manufacturing capabilities, producing a diverse array of artificial limbs and braces with a monthly capacity of approximately 800 units.

"The demand for artificial limbs is growing steadily," Sayeed told Bangla Outlook. "We sell around 400-500 units each month."

While they manufacture a significant portion of their offerings locally, they also import high-end mechanized products like the Proprio Foot and C-walk from Germany, catering to those who can afford the steeper price tags.

Their product prices range from Tk 600 to Tk 400,000, reflecting the diverse needs and economic capabilities of their clientele.

Sayeed emphasizes that Dynamic Limb Center stands out due to its team of internationally trained artificial limb makers, prosthetists, and orthotists.

"Very few people in the country have this level of expertise," he explains, highlighting the scarcity of such professionals in Bangladesh.

The Center for Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) confirms this shortage, reporting that only 25 clinicians nationwide hold international certifications for crafting artificial limbs, braces, and splints.

In the past, aspiring practitioners had to seek training abroad in countries like India or Vietnam. However, this is now changing.

In 2014, CRP launched Bangladesh's first diploma course for clinicians in this field.

This three-year program, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and international donors, initially enrolled ten students who received full scholarships and potential employment at CRP upon graduation.

The program's success has led to another ten students signing up for this year's class.

Sohanur Rahman, Head of the Prosthetics and Orthotics department at CRP, reveals that their two clinics in Dhaka and Chittagong fitted nearly 820 patients with prosthetic and orthotic devices last year.

Remarkably, 90% of these patients received free or subsidized treatment, highlighting CRP's commitment to accessibility. Rahman observes a growing market for artificial limbs, with local manufacturers increasingly competing with imported products.

Prof. Dr. Iqbal Qavi, former director of NITOR, attributes the rising demand for artificial limbs to the high frequency of road accidents in Bangladesh.

He notes that most artificial limbs are currently imported from countries like India, Germany, China, and Korea.

“This underscores the potential for local manufacturers to further expand their market share, contributing to the growth and self-sufficiency of the prosthetics industry in Bangladesh,” he said.