A Case Study: Can 3D printers be used to address the prosthetic needs of amputees in the Dominican Republic?

With a history of recurring occupations and dictatorships, the development of the Dominican national infrastructure has been heavily interrupted by continuous transfers of power. As a result, the lack of a lean government structure is evident when studying the national healthcare system. Despite numerous organizations and agencies overseeing the needs of amputees across the country, only about 347 of the estimated 5,350 new amputees receive prosthetics per year (ARS Humano Salud, 2020; Asociación Dominicana de Rehabilitación, 2018, 2019). Although the needs of this large underserved population are not being met, the implementation of more cost-effective 3D printing technologies seems difficult and distant. This study explores how the Dominican national infrastructure affects the healthcare and wellbeing of amputees, the local economic viability of 3D printers to manufacture prosthetics, and the hurdles that may be encountered in the implementation of such technology across the country. Ultimately, the goal of this study is to determine whether the Dominican Republic is ready for a paradigm shift in its medical technology, and what policy changes would be required for this to happen. While limited research has been conducted in the area, it is believed that a paradigm shift of this nature could result in benefits not only for the amputee population but also for society.