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October Newsletter
BFIRST is a UK registered charity which trains surgeons and their teams working in the most resource poor countries in the world to enable them to undertake reconstructive Plastic Surgery independently in an equitable and sustainable manner, thus releasing children and adults from the state of poverty and destitution associated with physical disability, injury and disease, amenable to surgical treatment.
BFIRST also provides educational resources for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons through our Webinar series.
In this month's newsletter we share with you our upcoming projects, educational activities, and how you can be involved!
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Webinars
We have 2 fantastic webinars lined up:
Lower Limb Reconstruction - 30th November 2024, 1pm
Dr Metasebia Worku Abebe
Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Register here!
Beyond Good Intentions: Rethinking Global Medical Aid for Sustainable Impact – 14th December 2024, 1pm
Miss Hayat Nadama
ST4 Vascular Surgery Registrar in North West, UK.
Registration to be made available nearer to the webinar date.
If you have missed any of our previous webinars you can watch them on our website!
There are also some fantastic webinars for revision of key topics within Plastic Surgery available!
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Projects
Cambodia
Some of the team of UK and local Khmer surgeons at the children's surgical centre, Cambodia
From the 14-18th October, a 12-person strong team of consultant and trainee surgeons and an expert hand therapist from across the UK and Singapore visited the Children's Surgical Centre in Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
This is a collaboration which has been in effect since 2013, where Mr Wee Lam and Miss Sara Dorman in association with BFIRST, BSSH global partnerships and some hand surgeons from Singapore have visited almost twice annually to build their brachial Plexus and Congenital hand service.
This was another very successful trip, where highlights included the first free functional muscle transfer for a Plexus injury, and the first time Khmer surgeon Dr Bonvath raised an ALT flap for a neglected snake bite trauma to the foot.
Immense progress was also made in the therapy department, with our hand therapist Karen Murphy sharing invaluable insights to therapists, surgeons and students alike
Upcoming Projects
We have upcoming projects to Nepal, The Gambia and Zimbabwe!
We will bring you updates about these projects, and how you can get involved and support them!
  
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Fellowships
We have 4 confirmed 2024 BFIRST Fellows who are or have completed BFIRST fellowships across the UK. These are Plastic Surgeons from resource-poor countries, who are or will be spending time in Plastic Surgery Units in the UK to gain experience and training.
Dr Salma Batool from Lahore, Pakistan, has completed her BFIRST fellowship in Swansea and Nottingham, with a focus on Hand and Upper Limb.
Dr Sania Ahmad from Lahore, Pakistan, is currently completing a BFIRST fellowship in East Grinstead, focusing on Breast Reconstruction.
Dr Nur Ul Ain from Lahore, Pakistan, will be completing a BFIRST fellowship in Wakefield and Oxford, focusing on Hands and Burns.
Dr Ali Azeem from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, will be completing a BFIRST fellowship later this year in Oxford and Newcastle.
Dr Salma Batool's Experience
  
I had the privilege to complete a surgical rotation from August 13th 2024 to September 25th 2024 across two esteemed institutions: Morriston Hospital/Singleton Hospital , Swansea, and Nottingham City Hospital. During this time, I focused on both hand and breast surgery, gaining invaluable clinical experience under the mentorship of highly skilled surgeons, Mr. Dean Boyce and Mr. Tuabin Rashid.
In the midst of my breast surgery rotation at Nottingham, I had the opportunity to attend an advanced hand and wrist cadaveric dissection course at The Gordon Museum, Guy’s Medical School Campus, in association with Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals in London, UK. This was an extraordinary learning experience where I explored the complex anatomy of the hand and wrist, focusing on advanced dissection techniques.
The rotations at Morriston Hospital, Swansea, and Nottingham City Hospital provided me with a well-rounded education in both hand and breast surgery. I gained significant insights into the management of complex hand injuries, such as tendon and brachial plexus injuries, as well as advanced reconstructive breast surgeries using both autologous and implant-based techniques.
I am confident that the knowledge and techniques I acquired during this rotation will benefit the patients I treat at Jinnah Burn & Reconstructive Surgery Center, Lahore, especially in hand and breast reconstruction. I am truly grateful for the opportunities provided, it was an exceptional experience, and I look forward to continuing to apply these learnings in my surgical practice.
We have received applications from 31 doctors from 8 countries to become one of six BFIRST fellows next year! Shortlisting is in progress…
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Events
CAPRAS
This month members of BFIRST attended the CAPRAS x BAPRAS 2024 conference! It was a great opportunity to meet with so many surgeons from around the world and build links and community at this global event.
BFIRST were also mentioned in talks given by Mr Simon Wood and Miss Leena Chagla on Abdominal Wall Reconstruction and Global Breast Cancer Burden and the Need for Education and Training, respectively!
Siobhan O’Sullivan (Vice Chair BFIRST trainee Committee) & Kajal Gohil (BFIRST Global Partnership Coordinator) in attendance at BAPRAS x CAPRAS 2024, Jamaica.
Miss Kajal Gohil presenting on ‘An International MDT to Diagnose a Unique Presentation of Beckers Naevus Syndrome’ - work carried out whilst participating on the BSSH Lion Project. To find out more about the project read the latest Lion Hand Unit Update which includes information on how to volunteer, donate and fundraise for a brilliant sustainable global project.
BFIRST committee members with Ms Ruth Waters (previous BAPRAS president 2021-22) who concluded the 3 day conference with a presentation about Professionalism in Surgery.
Delegates of BAPRAS x CAPRAS 2024 - representing a number of continents!
BAPRAS
BFIRST are coming to the BAPRAS Congress 2024! (4-6th December)
We are hosting a session on the 5th December in the afternoon, with talks from surgeons about Reconstructive Surgery in conflict zones and Plastic Surgery in low resource settings.
Confirmed speakers include:
 
Mr Naveen Cavale and Ms Ailbhe Kiely will be giving talks based on their experiences in Tanzania earlier this year.
 
Ms Clare Kelsey and Ms Jasmine Carney will be giving a talk about nursing and allied professionals subcommittee on BFIRST
Ms Victoria Rose will be giving a talk about her experiences in Gaza.
We will also be having a curry night social on the Wednesday evening, more details to follow and we look forward to seeing you there!
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Fundraising
Cycle for BFIRST
Well done to Team BFIRST completing the London to Brighton Cycle Ride in September!
To date they have raised a fantastic £1934 which will help us educate and train surgeons in resource limited countries.
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! Its not too late to support our amazing cycling team by donating here!
Or you can use the QR code below!
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How can I help?
Volunteering
BFIRST is keen for surgeons, nurses and allied specialists to all get involved. Please do get in touch if you are interested. Reconstructive surgery is a team sport!
Also, if you have ideas for new projects that you would like to start, perhaps in new countries, or in areas we already work in, we would love to hear about these, and discuss further.
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