Addressing Disparities in Accessing Surgical Interventions for Persons with Disabilities.

As the world marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) 2023, we acknowledge the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly in the realm of surgical care. This year's theme, "United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities" resonates profoundly as we explore the disparities in accessing surgical interventions for persons with disabilities globally.

1. The Right to Quality Surgical Care

Surgical care is a fundamental aspect of healthcare, yet individuals with disabilities often encounter barriers in accessing these essential services. Whether due to physical infrastructure limitations or societal stigmas, the right to quality surgical care remains elusive for many. This IDPWD, it is crucial to underscore the universal right of every individual, regardless of ability, to receive necessary surgical interventions.

2. Addressing Disparities in Access:

Across the globe, there exists a stark contrast in the availability and accessibility of surgical care for persons with disabilities. Limited infrastructure, lack of trained professionals, and societal biases contribute to these disparities. Initiatives on this day should emphasize the urgent need for equitable access, working towards dismantling barriers that impede individuals with disabilities from receiving timely and appropriate surgical treatments.

3. Building Collaborative Partnerships:

Addressing the complex challenges of providing surgical care to persons with disabilities requires collaborative efforts. Governments, healthcare organizations, non-profits, and advocacy groups should join forces to develop comprehensive strategies, share best practices, and mobilize resources. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive healthcare ecosystem.

At Swisscross we have been working on all three of these fronts. 

In launching the Centre for Complex Care in Erbil, Iraq in 2021, the Swisscross mission at its core has been about giving access to quality much-needed complex reconstructive surgery to people who are denied surgery and cannot afford it. Much of our surgical interventions are to restore function and repair bodies left broken through the circumstance of war. Our surgeries are disability-reversing and life-changing.

The Swisscross Centre, generously supported by UAE AID is also working to address the disparities in accessing surgical care in Erbil, Kurdistan, which houses 90% of refugees and displaced persons in Iraq - many of whom have no to little access to surgery. Working with local healthcare professionals, NGOs, local health entities and government agencies, Swisscross has fostered collaborative partnerships in the region with the well-being of patients at the heart of what we do.

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023 we hope for a collective commitment to dismantling barriers in accessing surgical care. By advocating for inclusive policies, promoting awareness, embracing technological solutions, and fostering collaborative partnerships, we can take meaningful steps towards a world where every individual, regardless of ability, receives the surgical care they need and deserve. 

#IDPWD2023 #InclusiveSurgery #HealthcareForAll