Why Reconstructive Surgery?
Reconstructive surgery has a significant role to play in Africa with a high incidence of suffering from deformity and disability caused by birth defects, accidents and disease. Reconstructive surgery can return function to limbs and lives, without which people may be cast from their communities with little hope of independence, employment or quality of life. Healthcare in the nation is challenged and resource poor: there is 1.4 doctors, nurses and midwifes to a population of 10,000 people (2019); no reconstructive surgeons, and one orthopaedic surgeon. Sierra Leone and its people need our help to recover; to train the surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists that will help change the face of healthcare in the country and rebuild bodies and lives broken by war and disease
Our Project for Surgeons
To train Sierra Leonean doctors to become their country’s first Reconstructive surgeons. We have raised money to train two reconstructive surgeons (see below), currently nearing the end of their training. We are now going to raise money for a 3rd doctor to begin their reconstructive surgeons training.
Since Resurge turned its focus to Sierra Leone, a graduate medical training programme has been established in Freetown and Resurge Africa supports this programme by enabling the programmes trainees to attend their rotation in reconstructive surgery at Korle-bu teaching hospital in Accra. So far we have supported 3 Sierra Leonean doctors to do so.
Dr Eric Wongo
Dr Abdulai Jalloh
Meet our trainees – Resurge is proud to introduce:
- Dr Eric Wongo, (top), is in final postgraduate year, at Korle-Bu training hospital in Ghana.
- Dr Abdulai Jalloh (bottom) began his postgraduate reconstructive surgery training in January 2013 and is also in his final year.
While Dr Wongo and Dr Jalloh study, we are training the anaesthetists, nurses and therapists needed to run an efficient and ultimately self-sustaining reconstructive surgery unit, ready for their return.
How can you help us?
We’ve proven that we can change the face of reconstructive surgery in West Africa – but we can’t do it without your help.
What does is cost?
- It costs £60,000 for post graduate training as a reconstructive surgeon
- If 50 supporters gave £20 per month – this would pay for 1 years training for a reconstructive surgeon trainee.
- A fully trained reconstructive surgeon will save and transform countless lives during the span of his career. Your donation of £20 per month would have a real impact on those lives.
Whether it’s a monthly contribution (Donate now by Pay Pal), a one-off donation (Donate now by Virgin Money Giving), or regular fundraising, every penny you give to Resurge Africa helps fund the training of our young doctors and the creation of a reconstructive surgery unit where it’s needed most.
If you have any questions about our work or think you can help in any way, get in touch with us at info@resurgeafrica.org
The Situation
In 2002, Sierra Leone emerged from a brutal, decade-long civil war. Its infrastructure, including hospitals and medical training, was decimated. Both the country and its people were left broken.
Today, Sierra Leone is at peace but still suffering from the effects of conflict, a catastrophic Ebola epidemic (over 90 qualified medical professionals lost their lives) and are now feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sierra Leone and its people need our help to recover; to train the surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists that will help change the face of healthcare in the country and rebuild bodies and lives broken by war and disease.
In Ghana, ReSurge Africa has been instrumental in the creation of a thriving reconstructive surgery unit – the country’s first – run by a team of international-standard surgeons and medical staff who deliver training and support to other hospitals in the region.
At the Holy Spirit Hospital in Makeni, we are developing Sierra Leone’s first reconstructive surgery unit. The infrastructure has been supported by the work of Italian charity Fondazione Don Gnocchi, and Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and other donors; Resurge Africa is now training the staff that will run the unit independently, creating a self-sustaining facility that will eventually provide support and training to other medics in Sierra Leone.
Read some of our patients stories
