Gaza burn victims get 3D-printer face masks made close to home

Palestinian man Ahmed Al-Natour, 34, who has severe facial burns and was provided a 3D transparent face mask by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), gestures as he holds his child at his home in Gaza City February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Ahmed Al-Natour was working at his Gaza market shoe stall when a fire started in a nearby bakery and swept through a crowd of shoppers last March.

Twenty-five people were killed and Natour, 34, suffered severe burns to his face and other parts of his body. Back home after months in hospital, he is venturing out wearing a therapeutic mask now being made locally for the first time.

Palestinian boy Ahmed Al-Deeb, who has severe facial burns, is fitted with a 3D transparent face mask, at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)'s clinic in Gaza City February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Using a 3D scanner in its clinic and a 3D printer owned by a Gaza business, Medecins Sans Frontieres-France provides compressive masks for Gaza facial burn victims to help them heal and prepare some for reconstructive surgery.

The transparent masks are made of solid plastic materials imported from France that help soften tissues and prevent complications such as scarring.

"I feel comfortable when I wear it, and it relaxes the face. It is easy to use, and I go shopping while wearing it," Natour said, as he wore the mask fastened with elastic straps.

A physiotherapist scans the face of Palestinian boy Ahmed Al-Deeb, who has severe facial burns, to provide him with a 3D transparent face mask, at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)'s clinic in Gaza City February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

In the past, 3D masks were available for burn patients in Gaza only when they travelled to Jordan for reconstructive surgery.

Coronavirus travel restrictions have made such journeys difficult, with only two Gaza patients able to make the trip in 2020 compared with 25 in 2019.

Abed El-Hamid Qaradaya, MSF-France's physiotherapy activity manager in Gaza, said at one of the organisation's clinics that the masks had made a major difference for some patients.

A physiotherapist prepares to put a 3D transparent mask on the face of Palestinian boy Ahmed Al-Deeb, who has severe facial burns, at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)'s clinic in Gaza City February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

"We have made face masks for 23 patients since the middle of 2020, and they helped to transform their lives," he said.

(Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Mike Collett-White)

Palestinian man Ahmed Al-Natour, 34, who has severe facial burns and was provided a 3D transparent face mask by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), shows his pictures with his daughter, at his home in Gaza City February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Palestinian boy Ahmed Al-Deeb, who has severe facial burns, waits to be fitted with a 3D transparent face mask, at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)'s clinic in Gaza City February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

A physiotherapist works on a laptop as he designs 3D transparent face mask for Palestinian boy Ahmed Al-Deeb, who has severe facial burns, at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)'s clinic in Gaza City February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Palestinian boy Ahmed Al-Deeb, who has severe facial burns, waits to be fitted with a 3D transparent face mask, at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)'s clinic in Gaza City February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Palestinian boy Ahmed Al-Deeb, who has severe facial burns, is reflected in a mirror as he waits to be fitted with a 3D transparent face mask, at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)'s clinic in Gaza City February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem