Imagine a world where essential surgical care is out of reach for more than half of the population. This is the stark reality for millions around the globe, where access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care is a rare privilege rather than a guaranteed right. In many low-income countries, individuals not only face significant barriers to finding qualified surgeons but are also responsible for the entire cost of surgeries and hospital stays. This financial burden can be devastating, pushing families further into poverty and limiting access to care for even the most basic surgical needs.

The Cost of Inadequate Surgical Care

The impact of limited surgical care is far-reaching. Every year, an estimated 18.6 million people die due to treatable conditions that would have required surgical intervention—a death toll surpassing that of tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria combined. Women are particularly vulnerable, with over 951 million lacking access to emergency obstetric care, which is critical for a safe pregnancy and childbirth. This issue is not limited to a single demographic; it affects entire communities, with billions of people who cannot afford or access life-saving surgeries. The world urgently needs solutions to bridge this alarming gap and provide safe, timely, and affordable surgical care to those in need.

The Work and Mission of Surgery Helps

Surgery Helps is dedicated to changing this reality by empowering local surgeons in underserved communities and providing critical resources that improve access to surgical care. Founded by Dr. Jesh Thiessen, a Canadian-trained surgeon who worked in Burundi, Togo, and Madagascar, the organization partners with certified surgeons in Africa who have completed their training with the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). These partnerships allow Surgery Helps to support surgical training and expand care through resource-sharing and skill-building. The organization works with local surgeons, like Dr. Marco Faniriko in Madagascar and Dr. Alliance Niyukuri in Burundi, to ensure that patients receive compassionate, high-quality care without facing financial devastation.

Empowering Communities and Transforming Lives

Surgery Helps is committed to fostering a self-sustaining healthcare system that meets the needs of the most vulnerable. By training local surgeons and supplying essential medical resources, Surgery Helps brings long-term solutions to communities in need. Each surgeon the organization supports is empowered not only to provide immediate care but also to train the next generation of medical professionals in their home countries. This multiplier effect means that one surgeon’s work can lead to thousands of lives saved and an overall improvement in healthcare access and quality for underserved regions. Through these efforts, Surgery Helps embodies a mission of hope and transformation—helping communities move toward a future where surgical care is accessible to all.

Prayer Request:

Pray for continued support for the dedicated doctors and staff at Surgery Helps, so they can expand their reach and bring life-saving surgical care to more underserved communities in need.