The Emirates News Agency reported that the UAE floating hospital fits prosthetic limbs for 51 Palestinian patients under the newly launched Step of Hope programme. Medical teams at the vessel stationed off Egypt’s coast conduct full examinations, take precise measurements and manufacture custom devices on site before completing the fitting process. The programme also incorporates physiotherapy sessions and long-term monitoring to help recipients adapt to their prosthetics. Officials indicated that the first phase at the floating hospital will be followed by additional stages to broaden reach.
Gulf News reported that a second phase of the Step of Hope initiative employs 3D scanning technology inside Gaza to capture patient data electronically for production at the floating hospital. This method addresses logistical barriers while maintaining quality standards for each limb. The eventual third phase envisions establishing manufacturing capabilities within Gaza itself. The programme initially targeted 40 patients and has since expanded in response to assessed medical needs.
The National reported that the UAE floating hospital arrived in Al Arish in February 2024 and has treated more than 2,400 Palestinians since then. The facility operates as a core component of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, through which the UAE has delivered aid exceeding $3.12 billion according to UAE government figures. That support has included medicines, medical supplies and equipment distributed to hospitals and affected communities across Gaza.
Ayman Zaqout, chairman of the Palestinian Federation of Persons with Disabilities, stated that UAE assistance plays a vital role in preventing additional limb loss caused by medical shortages and infections. He noted that between 60 and 70 per cent of disabled people in Gaza lost their assistive devices during successive displacements. Zaqout added that the prosthetics and rehabilitation services restore dignity and independence to those injured in the conflict.
Gulf News figures show that Sharjah Charity International funded prosthetics for an additional 50 patients while Dar Al Ber Society contributed more than Dh34 million toward the overall effort. The rehabilitation pathway includes physical exercises, psychological support and periodic device adjustments to optimise mobility outcomes. UAE authorities have emphasised that such interventions form part of sustained humanitarian coordination with Palestinian partners.
