Globally, it is estimated that 65 million people live with limb amputations, with 60 per cent being lower limb amputations. But fewer than 20 per cent of the people who could benefit from prostheses have access to them [2]. The WHO estimates that the demand for prostheses will continue to grow and double by 2050, particularly in LMICs [15], driven by population growth, rising trauma incidence and an increase in non- communicable diseases such as diabetes.
International NGOs, such as Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), are key providers of prosthetic care in LMICs, particularly countries affected by conflict or natural disaster. Demand for prostheses in LMICs is influenced by the following factors: 1) lack of comprehensive and reliable market information; 2) limited product offerings; 3) high markups in supply chains (see Section Price Component of Assistive Products); and 4) lack of qualified service providers and trained clinicians.