Fatima Al-Zahraa Al-Nakib

A Yemeni biomedical engineer who pioneered affordable medical technologies during the pandemic

Fatima Al-Zahraa Al-Nakib is a Yemeni biomedical engineer whose innovative work in developing low-cost medical devices has revolutionized healthcare access in conflict zones and underserved regions. Born in Sana'a in 1992, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of limited medical resources during Yemen's civil war. In 2020, as the global pandemic intensified these shortages, Al-Nakib launched MedTech Yemen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating accessible healthcare solutions.

Her most notable achievement is the invention of the LifeVent, an open-source ventilator costing $1,200—less than 1% of commercial models. This device uses car parts and 3D-printed components, enabling local production in regions lacking advanced manufacturing infrastructure. By 2023, over 5,000 units were deployed across Yemen, Syria, and Gaza through partnerships with UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières.

In 2021, Al-Nakib expanded her efforts to address maternal health disparities. She developed the MamaKit, a portable birthing kit containing sterilization tools and emergency supplies. This innovation reduced postpartum mortality rates by 40% in pilot programs. Her work was featured in Nature Medicine and earned her the Ashden Award for Health Innovation in 2023.

Al-Nakib's approach emphasizes community-driven solutions. She trains local technicians through virtual workshops and collaborates with engineers from MIT and Stanford via her Global MedHub initiative. Her TED Talk "How We 3D Printed Ventilators for Yemen" has garnered over 2 million views.