Restoring Hope: Disability-Reversing Surgery for Refugees in Kurdistan

In the face of adversity, the strength and resilience of the human spirit never ceases to amaze healthcare professionals across the world. This is particularly true for refugees who have fled their homes, leaving everything behind in search of safety and security. Among these courageous individuals many face additional challenges due to war injuries and disabilities they acquired during conflict or while on their perilous journey. In Kurdistan, a region that has generously welcomed refugees, the Swisscross Foundation, supported by UAE AID has stepped forward to provide life-changing disability-reversing surgery, offering renewed hope and opportunities for those in need.

Swisscross recruits global leaders in reconstructive surgery to provide direct surgical care to vulnerable populations affected by injuries due to war and conflict. Mobilizing specialized medical teams, who volunteer for short missions, Swisscross provides complex surgical care, works with local experts in Kurdistan and trains healthcare professionals on the ground.

Utilizing local infrastructure by working with Zheen International Hospital in Erbil, and with a talent pool of doctors, surgeons and healthcare providers in Kurdistan,  the Swisscross model is nimble and flexible, tapping into local capabilities and collaborating with partners invested in the wellbeing of refugees and vulnerable populations.

In the last 18 months, we have seen first-hand the impact of surgical interventions on refugees and vulnerable communities living in camps and settlements in the region. The Centre in Erbil has been the proof of concept in addressing disability and the long-term impact surgical intervention has on families and the wider community; economically and through sharing a model which will inspire the next generation of humanitarians. 

DISABILITY REVERSING SURGERY: A GAME-CHANGER

Approximately 5 billion people worldwide have no access to essential and emergency surgical care and around 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world's population. 

The Swisscross Centre in Erbil has screened over a 1000 patients and completed over 300 surgical interventions since we opened in September 2021. Many of our interventions have provided disability-reversing surgical care.

Here are some examples of the  life-changing surgery we have provided to refugees in Kurdistan:

Shamo is able to walk again and provide for his family without assistance. Here he met with the two orthopedic surgeons who performed his surgery: Dr Sarkhell Radha and Dr Ahmed Berzenji.

SHAMO

After a road traffic accident in 2019, Shamo was left with acetabular fractures - fractures of the pelvis, leading to years of infection and debilitation. From an independent farmer, providing for his family, Shamo was unable to work relying on crutches and a wheelchair for mobility. In March 2023 Swisscross performed a pelvic  reconstruction of his bones and a total hip replacement. This was one of the first hip replacements to be performed at the Swisscross Centre.

Today Shamo is completely independent of walking aids and back working, and providing for his family.

Salih is able to run for the first time in five years after Swisscross surgeons performed the first free-tissue transplant surgery in Erbil in 2022.

SALIH 

A missile attack left Salih with a severely fractured and deformed leg when he was only five. He was referred to the Swisscross team in 2022 for the first free tissue transfer or free flap surgery. Essentially the "transplantation" of healthy tissue from one site of the body to another, in order to reconstruct the existing defect. The pioneering surgery by Zurich-based reconstructive and microsurgery specialist, Dr Natasha Forster has allowed Salih to enjoy being a young vibrant child again - running for the first time in five years.

Gulstan, 9 years-old has been seeing physiotherapist, Shaida Muhammad since her hand surgery to regain full function of her hand.

GULSTAN

Like a third of all our patients, Gulstan, suffered severe long-term burn trauma, which left her unable to move her hand. A Syrian refugee living in Essian Refugee Camp, in Dohuk, the 8 year-old underwent reconstructive surgery including skin grafts. After months of physiotherapy, Gulstan, now 9-years-old has full function of her hand.

In a region burdened by conflict and displacement, the Swisscross Foundation's provision of disability reversing surgery has given hope to refugees in Kurdistan. Through the compassionate efforts of global specialists working with a diverse talent pool of local experts and healthcare professionals, lives are being transformed, disabilities are being reversed, and individuals are regaining their independence. By shedding light on these real lived experiences of resilience and compassion, we hope to raise awareness, inspire others, and collectively work towards building a more health inclusive and equitable world for all.

Early humanitarian reconstructive surgery will change someone’s life. Swisscross needs you support to finance the surgery that so many people require. Please consider donating here.