SEPTEMBER MISSION RECAP
First day of patient screening at the Centre of Excellence for Complex Care, Erbil, September 2024.
Last week Swisscross completed its September humanitarian mission, which included both global and local specialists and professionals delivering life-changing surgery at the Centre of Excellence of Complex Care in Erbil, Kurdistan.
The September mission centred around patients in need of plastic and maxillofacial assessments and surgery. German Maxillofacial surgeon, Dr Johannes Kuttenberger, who is a veteran volunteer war surgeon, working across conflict settings, including Gaza, led the maxillofacial team. Working alongside him were local reconstructive plastic surgeon, Dr Mustafa Subhe, and plastic surgeon Dr Sarmad Nashat, both of whom have been supporting Swisscross operations in Erbil since we first launched the Centre three years ago.
Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr Johannes Kuttenberger with Reconstructive and Plastic Surgeon, Dr Mustafa Subhe at Zheen International Hospital. September 2024.
With the mission restricted to six-days, our global team hit the ground running with the first day of screening the day after they arrived.
Working closely with our partners Barzani Charity Foundation, a mobilization team helped Swisscross access patients, some in urgent need of reconstructive surgery. Many of the patients our team screened had lived for years with debilitating injuries that limited their mobility, ability to function, and lead normal lives. For these individuals, the surgery represented a new beginning—a chance to regain both function and confidence.
Burn trauma is one of the most recurrent injuries our team observes during missions. A 5-year-old boy, who had disfigurement and restricted movement in his hands, following a severe burn injury caused by a stove gas explosion in 2023, was one of the first patients to go into surgery. The boy was left with burns covering 35% of body, including both hands, feet, and face and had severe contractures of the skin and fusion in the fingers, with significant restriction in movement.
Swisscross Chief Surgeon, Dr Walter Kunzi and Dr Mustafa Subhe performed hand surgery on the contracture and fusion of the boy’s fingers and used a skin graft to help in his mobility.The young boy has struggled with fine motor tasks, grasping objects, and performing daily activities. Following successful surgery, he will need extensive physiotherapy to be able use his hand with better mobility.
A 5-year-old boy had reconstructive surgery on his hand which left his fingers severely burnt and fused together after a gas stove fire in 2023.
Our team also carried out thorough screenings of other pediatric patients, identifying those who could benefit most from reconstructive surgeries. A portion of our work during this mission focused on children born with congenital differences, which leave children at risk of social isolation and long-term health complications if left untreated.
Dr Sarmad Nashat successfully operated on a 3 year-old boy born with Syndactyly - webbed digits, one of the most common birth defects affecting children.
Dr Sarmad Nashat, Plastic Surgeon (L) in theatre operating on a child. September 2024.
The September mission in Erbil was made possible through the collaboration of local healthcare professionals and volunteers. Swisscross prides itself on building local capacity, ensuring that the impact of our work continues long after the mission is complete. Our team worked hand-in-hand with local surgeons, nurses, and medical staff, at Zheen International Hospital, where our Centre is based, sharing knowledge and expertise to strengthen the long-term healthcare infrastructure in Erbil.
Our local team of specialists will continue serving patients at the Centre, as they do throughout the year. In November the orthopedic team, led by trauma and reconstructive orthopedic surgeon, Dr Ahmed Berzenji will continue efforts to support vulnerable patients in need of surgical interventions.
As we reflect on the success of this mission, we are inspired to push forward, to reach more patients. With the support of our donors and volunteers, we will continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Together, you can support us in rebuilding lives—one surgery at a time.
