Uniting Forces: Tackling Global Surgery Workforce Shortages Together!

Access to surgical care remains a pressing issue globally. To tackle this challenge head-on, the ACS Health Outreach Program for Equity in Global Surgery (ACS H.O.P.E.) has emerged as a beacon of hope, empowering low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with the tools and training they need to build surgical capacity.

While many surgeons across the globe specialize in general surgery, there’s an increasing demand for specialized fields like plastic surgery. Traditionally, plastic surgery has focused on essential areas such as burn care and cleft lip repair. However, as we move forward, the urgency for comprehensive training and advanced surgical techniques has never been greater.

Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed a surge in requests from LMICs for complex plastic surgery training, prompting an innovative approach in Rwanda. This article highlights our progress in establishing a robust plastic surgery program, ensuring that the future of surgical care is not just a dream but a reality.

In an exciting development, the ACS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Advisory Council has partnered with the SHARE program to elevate plastic and reconstructive surgery training in Rwanda. This initiative, which began five years ago, represents a formidable alliance between the Rwanda Ministry of Health, University of Rwanda, Operation Smile, and the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa.

Thanks to a redesigned curriculum approved by the University of Rwanda, we’ve boosted trainee numbers from three to thirteen in just a few short years. This collaborative effort has shown tremendous growth and potential. When organizations pool their resources and expertise, the possibilities for innovation and progress in global health are limitless.

With the support of ACS H.O.P.E., we’ve seen a remarkable increase in educators and volunteer surgeons from the US, enhancing the training program’s reach and effectiveness.

Our program is meticulously designed around a new curriculum consisting of six comprehensive modules: general plastic surgery, burns, maxillofacial surgery, microsurgery, aesthetic surgery, and hand surgery. Each module is enriched with simulation exercises, theoretical lessons, and real-world patient care, all guided by a dedicated team of experienced surgeons. Some modules also benefit from partnerships with industry leaders providing essential training materials.

The involvement of US faculty has played a pivotal role in expanding our training program, with aspirations to reach other central African countries. Moreover, we are committed to enhancing our training and academic structure, contributing to the Committee on Certification in plastic surgery.

This partnership with ACS H.O.P.E. is not just producing skilled plastic surgeons for Rwanda; it’s crafting leaders who will educate and inspire future generations. Two of our recent graduates have already secured advanced training opportunities in craniofacial surgery and microsurgery at prestigious institutions in Canada and Taiwan.

We’re eager to continue expanding the ACS H.O.P.E. and SHARE collaborations, extending our reach beyond Kigali and making a significant impact on surgical care throughout the region.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the stance of any organization.

Dr. Gregory Evans is the Bruce F. Connell Endowed Chair in Plastic Surgery and a distinguished professor at the University of California, Irvine.

Dr. Faustin Ntirenganya is a consultant surgeon at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, specializing in general and oncoplastic breast surgery.