MedAdd’s 3D printing project is giving South Africans access to life-changing medical devices that were once out of reach. For decades, South Africa has depended heavily on imported medical equipment, which is often unaffordable for public hospitals or poorly suited to patients’ individual needs. However, a homegrown initiative is now working to change that one patient at a time.

Despite a poverty rate of 37.9%, the country continues to grow, with 8% to 9% of its GDP coming from health care, which exceeds the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended spending by 4%. Statssa reports the public sector spends $30.59 on health care, contributing 44%. This increases the demand for 3D printing in South Africa, especially for custom-designed implants and prosthetics.

What Is MedAdd?

The Central University of Technology (CUT) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) lead the innovative Medical Device Additive Manufacturing Technology Demonstrator Project (MedAdd), transforming health care across South Africa. MedAdd developed 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, of medical devices tailored specifically to the needs of the region.

Financial support of a R97 million (approximately $5.85 million) additive manufacturing (3D printing) project in Bloemfontein on April 8, 2022, provided a start-up.

How This Works

MedAdd aims to reduce South Africa’s dependence on imported devices. The Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM) at CUT is doing groundbreaking work in the design, development and manufacturing of medical devices. This makes the university a leading institution in South Africa in the field of customized medical production.

MedAdd’s 3D printing solution provides a groundbreaking approach for South Africa’s dependence on medical device imports. With the health care budgets, hospitals and clinics lacking vital equipment, will receive immense support through this initiative, as it will also help with the costs of imported devices.

MedAdd aims to:

• Enhance the existing equipment and capabilities at CUT
• Enable CUT, academic partners and local companies to demonstrate reproducibility and increase innovative medical device products
• Be available for up-and-coming companies to industrialize new products, taking out the risks of innovative development prior to commercialization
• Enable students, including researchers and personnel, to develop the required skills necessary for the development of the new technology and industry

MedAdd Is Changing Lives

The importance of health innovation, which is the focus of the DSI, is already enhancing the impact of science in society. Rebecca Maserumule, Acting Deputy Director-General for Technology Innovation at the DSI, emphasized the importance for African countries to proactively invest in medical research and health innovation.

She says, “Our overall objective in this space is to help grow the health economy by providing locally developed and relevant diagnostics and medical devices with a view to boosting their manufacturing.”

Maserumule adds that enhancing existing capacity to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical devices will address the disease burden and ensure the security and sustainable supply of essential therapeutics and prophylactics.

Currently, more than 1,000 patients have been assisted through the CRPM’s efforts, which are supported by state and private hospitals and funding from the DSI, TIA and other partners. Among these cases are Princess Moshona and Luan Adams.

BBC covered a MedAdd success story emphasizing how the 3D printing medical devices changed the life of a gunshot survivor, Princess Moshona, who was shot in the jaw by carjackers, deforming her face. Thanks to a 3D metal implant treatment, her face is restored.

Another success story follows Luan Adams, whose face was disfigured by sinus cancer affecting his speech and breathing. Currently, a facial prosthetic implant made of silicone at the CRPM has helped both his breathing and his speech. The CRPM 3D-printed the titanium frame implant used to hold the prosthetic in place. Thanks to this, Adams shares that he is more than grateful to be alive.

MedAdd’s Future and Impact

South Africa’s leadership in 3D printing is projected to reach a market size of $70 million by 2030, setting a benchmark for other African nations. The emergence of technology hubs and fab labs, like the Togolese fab lab Woelab Lomé, reflects a growing ethos of innovation across the continent, which is instrumental in adopting new technologies for societal needs.

Looking further ahead, the broader Africa 3D printing medical devices market is projected to reach $1,065 million by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.04%.

A Model for the Continent

MedAdd shows that Africa does not wait for imported solutions to meet its health care needs. By investing in local manufacturing capability, accredited research infrastructure and partnerships across government, academia and industry, South Africa is building a model that other African nations can follow. As 3D printing technology becomes more available and accessible, initiatives like MedAdd offer a blueprint for how developing nations can close the medical device gap affordably, sustainably and on their own terms.

– Joy Kohol

Joy is based in Muncie, IN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels