It is with deep sadness that ReSurge International mourns the tragic passing of celebrated Ugandan Olympian, Rebecca Cheptegei. Ms. Cheptegei died in a Kenyan hospital, succumbing to severe burn injuries days after being set on fire by her former partner. Tragically, Rebecca Cheptegei’s case represents a growing issue that ReSurge International increasingly confronts: an escalating crisis at the intersection of intimate partner gender-based violence, burn injuries, and the critical lack of reconstructive surgical care in low-income countries needed to treat burn survivors.
Unfortunately, this case underscores a hidden yet urgent issue that ReSurge International increasingly confronts: the growing prevalence of burn cases driven by gender-based violence. In Ms. Cheptegei’s home country of Uganda, Dr. Rose Alyeno, ReSurge reconstructive surgeon at Kiruddu Hospital in Kampala, reflects on the broader implications:
“The heartbreaking news of Ms. Cheptegei’s death has deeply affected us. It mirrors the grim realities many women endure here and signals a disturbing trend. Just last month, we witnessed the loss of three young women, barely in their twenties, victims of similar brutal attacks by their boyfriends involving petrol and fire.”
Dr. Rose Alyeno, Uganda
Similarly, at Kirtipur Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, ReSurge’s team has treated 141 cases of intentional burn injuries over the last seven years, accounting for about 3% of all burn injuries treated. “The majority of the cases we handle represent severe forms of assault often driven by motives of revenge, control, or social punishment,” said Padma Maharjan, Counseling Psychologist. “We have also seen an increase in self-inflicted burns, or suicide attempts, often also a result of domestic abuse, or gender-based violence.” An estimated 180,000 people die from burn injuries annually, disproportionately from low- and middle-income countries. “Those who survive, face a laborious recovery dependent on nutrition, wound care, psychological support, physical therapy and surgery.”
However, amidst these dark narratives, there is hope. Muskan Khatun, a ReSurge patient and acid attack survivor, has transformed her tragedy into a powerful movement for stricter legal protections. After advocating for stronger laws in her country, Muskan’s efforts resulted in enhanced penalties and tighter regulations on acid sales within a year of her attack. Recognized by the U.S. State Department with the International Woman of Courage Award in 2021, Muskan’s story continues to inspire. ReSurge recently facilitated a meeting with fellow acid-attack survivor, advocate, and Woman of Courage Award winner Natalia Ponce de Leon from Colombia, empowering other survivors to maintain hope and to spread national awareness about the issue.
ReSurge International is committed to addressing these challenges, not only by providing essential medical interventions but also by advocating for reform. The organization played a pivotal role at the recent United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, leading the panel, “Girls on Fire: The Gendered Outcomes of Burn Injuries” to push for global policy changes. Upcoming moments like the first official ‘World Burns Week’ November 4-10, and The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serve as moments to continue to raise awareness about gender-based and intimate partner violence
“While our hearts are heavy with the loss of Rebecca Cheptegei, it is a stark reminder of the critical work that lies ahead. This tragedy compels us to unite more fervently than ever to eradicate gender-based violence and expand access to vital reconstructive surgical care.”
ReSurge President and CEO, Claire Lachance
About ReSurge International: ReSurge International is a pioneering global nonprofit that has spearheaded the global surgery movement since 1969. Our mission is to train, fund, and scale reconstructive surgical teams in low-income countries, delivering life-changing care to those most in need. Our approach centers on capacity building and locally-led solutions, with a strong emphasis on equitable access to training. We are deeply committed to inclusivity, particularly in empowering women and other marginalized groups. By scaling our model, we have made a significant impact on entire regions and economies, while ensuring that individual patient care remains a core focus. Remarkably, 92% of our surgeries are performed by local physicians trained through our programs, and these patients incur no costs.
