Microsurgery at Ganga Hospital
The British Foundation for International Surgery and Training (BFIRST) provides Fellowships to enable overseas plastic surgeons from resource-poor countries to gain experience in a recognised plastic surgery unit.
One of the most significant, is provided by Ganga Hospital, in Coimbatore, India and run by its motivational lead Professor Raja Sabapathy and his team. Ganga is noted for its integrated approach to plastic surgery trauma, hand surgery, reconstructive surgery and its microsurgical training institute. Recent graduates include Drs Dagmawi and Nagasa, from Ethiopia, who enjoyed a two-month programme at Ganga. They described their time as an “incredible opportunity” and “truly transformative”.
“During our time at Ganga Hospital, we were immersed in an environment of excellence in surgical practice and patient care. We had the privilege of observing a wide range of microsurgical procedures and hand surgeries under the guidance of esteemed surgeons and medical professionals. Each day provided us with invaluable insights into advanced surgical techniques, patient management, and the importance of precision in microsurgery.”
They also undertook Ganga’s famed week of dedicated microsurgical laboratory training. “This training provided us with an opportunity to practice techniques in a controlled environment, sharpening our skills in suturing, nerve repairs, and flap surgeries. The practical sessions were particularly beneficial, reinforcing our theoretical knowledge while allowing us to develop our technical abilities.”
“We have returned to Ethiopia with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to apply what we have learned in our local communities. We firmly believe that the skills acquired at Ganga Hospital will enable us to contribute significantly to the field of reconstructive surgery in Ethiopia, particularly in areas that require advanced microsurgical techniques.”
“Moving forward, we are committed to sharing our knowledge with our peers. We plan to organize workshops and training sessions to disseminate the information and skills we have gained, fostering an environment of continuous learning within our medical community. By doing so, we aim to raise the standard of surgical care and improve outcomes for our patients. We are also ready to collaborate with BFIRST in any mission organized by this esteemed organization. We cannot wait to host BFIRST wherever we will be assigned to work at”.
“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to BFIRST for making this life-changing opportunity possible. The memories and knowledge we gained during our time at Ganga Hospital will serve as a strong foundation for our future endeavours.”
Contributors: Dr Dagmawi and Dr Nagasa