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- Talk
- 21/09/2022
- UK
Orthopaedic Response to Conflict and Disaster; Lessons learned and Transferable Skills - Personal Perspective: Suheal Khan
Description
In this engaging talk, Suheal Khan shares insights from his experience with the MIST Foundation, a group of reconstruction surgeons established in 2005. He outlines the foundation's focus on addressing amputation rates post-natural disasters and emphasizes their approach of intervening two to three weeks after events to reduce secondary amputations caused by complications such as infections.
The talk recounts the foundation's impactful projects in various regions, including their establishment of a limb reconstruction unit in Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake and their subsequent work in Gaza and Libya. Khan highlights the importance of collaboration with organizations like MSF and local NGOs to enhance training and support for local health professionals.
He discusses the crucial logistics of working in disaster zones, including obtaining necessary clearances, ensuring safety for medical teams, and maintaining low profiles in potential conflict areas to mitigate risks. Khan also touches on the dramatic challenges faced by medical personnel in conflict regions, recounting harrowing stories of targeted attacks on medics.
The need for thorough risk assessment before deployment is stressed, alongside the issues of data collection and the importance of follow-up care and educational efforts for local surgeons. He notably acknowledges the profound sacrifices made by medical workers in conflict zones and dedicates the talk to those who have lost their lives serving in such dire situations. The session concludes with an open invitation for questions, encouraging interaction and deeper engagement on the topic.