Two Dar es Salaam-based hospitals, the Aga Khan and Muhimbili National Hospital, have partnered with the Women for Women Programme of the International Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery to offer free reconstructive surgery in the country.
The two-year project will see an initial 35 women and children with deformities resulting from violence, burns and accidents undergo surgery within five days, after which the camp would be shifted to other regions.
Aga Khan Hospital Regional Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin told the media in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the surgeries which would have cost each patient Sh3million, depending on the severity of the deformities, would be done at no cost.
He said the preference of using open fires or kerosene for cooking, heating or lighting represented a health crisis in developing countries, and particularly for poor populations in Africa.
A plastic surgery specialist from Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr. Edwin Mrema, told the media that reconstructive surgery aimed to restore physical functions and appearance of the patients, and it would also improve their confidence and quality of life.
He said deformities affected many societies in the country, especially low-income earners unable to meet treatment costs.
“A single surgery which takes not less than 3 hours may cost Sh3m. The surgical initiative will go on for two years,” he said.
He explained that the programme would last for two years, during which free plastic surgery would be offered after every six months.
Three doctors and 6 nurses from MNH would join other doctors at Aga Khan Hospital to provide the service.
A representative from Women for Women Programme of the International Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery said the goal of the collaboration was to share and enhance surgical expertise and address the medical need for plastic and reconstructive surgery patients across the country.
According to the World Health Organization, in developing countries, more women die of complications from burn injuries than they do of HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
The two-year project will see an initial 35 women and children with deformities resulting from violence, burns and accidents undergo surgery within five days, after which the camp would be shifted to other regions.
Aga Khan Hospital Regional Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin told the media in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the surgeries which would have cost each patient Sh3million, depending on the severity of the deformities, would be done at no cost.
He said the preference of using open fires or kerosene for cooking, heating or lighting represented a health crisis in developing countries, and particularly for poor populations in Africa.
A plastic surgery specialist from Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr. Edwin Mrema, told the media that reconstructive surgery aimed to restore physical functions and appearance of the patients, and it would also improve their confidence and quality of life.
He said deformities affected many societies in the country, especially low-income earners unable to meet treatment costs.
“A single surgery which takes not less than 3 hours may cost Sh3m. The surgical initiative will go on for two years,” he said.
He explained that the programme would last for two years, during which free plastic surgery would be offered after every six months.
Three doctors and 6 nurses from MNH would join other doctors at Aga Khan Hospital to provide the service.
A representative from Women for Women Programme of the International Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery said the goal of the collaboration was to share and enhance surgical expertise and address the medical need for plastic and reconstructive surgery patients across the country.
According to the World Health Organization, in developing countries, more women die of complications from burn injuries than they do of HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
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