World Humanitarian Day 2022: It Takes A Village

On World Humanitarian Day 2022, we want to take a moment to celebrate, spotlight and thank healthcare professionals who have galvanized care for some of the most vulnerable populations in the world. Our Swisscross family of volunteer doctors, surgeons, nurses, porters, hospital staff and advisors have provided some of the most at risk communities with their complex care needs. 

Humanitarians provide life-saving assistance to millions of people worldwide. Placing their own lives at risk in conflict settings, more than 460 humanitarian aid workers were victims of attacks last year.

We are honored to share on World Humanitarian Day the intimate observations of some of the local frontline staff and volunteers at the Swisscross Centre of Excellence for Complex Care in Erbil, Iraq.

Humanitarian complex surgical care in conflict and post-conflict settings requires specialist skills, expertise and years of training. Swisscross through the generous support of UAE Aid launched the Centre of Excellence for Complex Care in September 2021 to provide reconstructive surgery to some of the most vulnerable communities affected by war and the circumstance of war.

Dr Mustafa Subhe (centre) with Swisscross CEO and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgeon, Dr Ian Furst in May 2022 in the operating room at the Centre of Excellence for Complex Care.

Dr Mustafa Subhe, a plastic reconstructive surgeon at Rzgary Hospital in Erbil joined the Swisscross team in early 2022, volunteering his time and skills to support patients at the Centre.

He said: “The drive for humanitarian surgery has many reasons. For me, helping those most in need is an ethical responsibility as a plastic reconstructive surgeon. I am also developing my skills and experience under international surgeons like the team at Swisscross. Having communication with the global team, even when they are not in Erbil is particularly helpful  with guidance in difficult cases.”

Dr Alla Shukur, a renowned plastic surgeon in Erbil, has worked with Swisscross from the beginning. Heavily pregnant during our first screening and surgical missions in September and November 2021 respectively, Dr Alla rolled up her sleeves to help launch the Centre: “With Swisscross I wanted to practice my values as a surgeon and be a part of the Swisscross vision to help make a difference to the circumstances of vulnerable patients. The aim is to reduce the suffering of people, help them, and also help create long-lasting change."

Dr Alla Shukur during the first surgical mission at the Centre in Erbil in November 2021, with Swisscross Chief Surgeon, Dr Walter Kunzi.

One of the main causes of mortality is physical trauma, which requires surgical intervention, particularly orthopedic surgery. One of the leading Specialist Orthopedic surgeons in Erbil, Dr Ahmed Berzenji has contributed his extensive skills and time to countless patients at the Swisscross Centre. 

Overseeing surgery clinics at Rozhawa Emergency Hospital in Erbil, Dr Berzenji was one of the first local surgeons to commit to providing reconstructive orthopedic surgery to some of the most vulnerable people coming to our Centre: “There is a growing burden of musculoskeletal  injuries in low income countries and across conflict settings. In fact more than 90% of injury-related mortality occurs in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). In addition we are dealing with congenital deformities and degenerative diseases, which all culminate in a major public health issue. 

“At the Swisscross Centre there is an opportunity to provide surgery to people who otherwise are denied treatment due to circumstance, lack of access to specialists, affordability and many who live in refugee camps. This is what we do. This is what we have trained for and this is how - through knowledge sharing and pooling talent -  we will build better capacities locally and a much stronger and sustainable response to orthopedic injuries.”   

Dr Ahmed Berzenji (centre) with Professor Deiary Kader (right), the Chief Orthopedic lead for Swisscross Foundation in Erbil, Iraq.

Our three local eminent surgeons are not alone in working to strengthen local healthcare capacities through supporting the Centre and patients, 90% of whom are refugees and internally displaced communities.

Swisscross field officers and junior doctors Dr Sarezh Saber and Dr Lass Azad have been the organizational backbone at the Centre, screening patients from refugee camps, liaising with IDP settlements and receiving hands-on training in surgical procedures with global specialists.

Dr Saber, who was one of the first hires at the Swisscross Centre has immersed herself in training to build her expertise. With ambitions to become a trauma surgeon she said: “Working with Swisscross is important for me as a doctor because it provides me the opportunity to have continuous  learning through the close working relationship with world-wide experts in the field. Apart from the training, knowing we are providing a vital service to vulnerable populations who have little to no access to complex care is fulfilling and the reason we work harder to do better for them.”

Swisscross field officer, Dr Lass Azad echoes similar sentiments: “I have always been involved in humanitarian work throughout my educational life. Now as a local doctor and field officer, having the opportunity to help vulnerable populations and learning from global health experts is a dream come true. It’s my hope to continue to work with Swisscross as a specialist in the future.”

Teaching and training the next generation of doctors is a key pillar for Swisscross. Our Founder and veteran war surgeon, Dr Enrique Steiger (centre) with Dr Sarezh Saber and Dr Lass Azad providing hands-on instruction to the future of medicine in Iraq.

It truly takes a village. Our local healthcare professionals are pivotal to our work in conflict and post-conflict settings. We agree with specialists like Dr Alla Shukur who says “local capacity building approaches can purposefully minimize an over-reliance on outside experts as sources of knowledge, resources, and provide solutions to community issues and encourage local doctors to take action on local issues themselves in the future.”

On this World Humanitarian Day we thank our village of volunteers - our Swisscross Family.