BFIRST In Kenya and Ethiopia
Sometimes, overseas Plastic Surgery Colleagues request assistance from a BAPRAS surgeon. Such was the case for Mr. Paul McArthur in 2019, when he visited Kenya and Ethiopia with BFIRST in 2024.
The British Foundation for International Surgery and Training (BFIRST) is a U.K based charity whose vision and mission is to promote global plastic surgery training, and development of independent, high quality clinical practice in resource limited countries. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, BFIRST seeks to widen access, particularly to plastic and reconstructive surgery for populations around the world.
The Kenyan Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, KAPRAS, requested help with education in the field of congenital hand surgery. So, in February 2019, under the BFIRST banner, our 2025-26 President, Paul McArthur flew there to assist. He first conducted a day of seminar style discussions with the local team, followed by an out-patient clinic. Here they saw brachial plexus injury patients as well as congenital hand deformities.
He then participated in long days in theatre, with a number of the cases operated upon previously seen in the clinics. The Kenyan team were very receptive and enthusiastic. This visit lead to a further two visits. One in 2020, on a similar format, but additionally incorporating some burn scar contracture reconstructions for hands and feet. A second in 2022 involved attendance at their annual conference, during which Mr McArthur gave a series of lectures.
It was at this conference that he met Ethiopian surgeon - Prof Mekonen Eshete, who then invited him to Addis Ababa, to run a similar programme under the BFIRST banner. In May 2024 Mr McArthur visited two hospitals in the Ethiopian capital. On both occasions he attended outpatient clinics followed by operating sessions to demonstrate techniques in congenital hand surgery.
He later heard from Professor Mekonen that not only did they perform the first index finger for missing thumb switch (pollicisation) in Ethiopia, but that a variety of the other techniques demonstrated have been adopted and implemented into plastic surgical practice there. Plans are evolving to return to both countries to further develop training and professional relationships.
Contributor: Paul McArthur