Why Reconstructive Surgery?
30% of the global burden of disease is due to surgical conditions — three times more than Malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS combined. Additionally, 17 million people die annually due to surgically treatable conditions, and millions more experience a lower quality of life from preventable disabilities. By partnering with promising reconstructive surgeons in low-income countries, we open the door to change lives and build a brighter future for all.
Training one surgeon creates a substantial ripple effect that can change the world. Just one surgeon can treat 10,000 patients in their career and if they become a trainer themselves, they have the potential to transform over 400,000 lives over their lifetime. This is the multiplier effect in action!
What is Reconstructive Surgery?
Reconstructive surgery restores normal function from an accident or trauma, a congenital condition, or cancer. Traffic accidents, burns, missing digits, cleft palates, and cancer reconstruction are all common conditions reconstructive surgeons treat.
At ReSurge, we are one of the few organizations to provide the full scope of reconstructive surgical care for those in low-income communities. We provide free treatment to the patient and build local surgical capacity for long-term solutions.
Reconstructive Surgery and Poverty
The gap in access to surgical care results from several shortcomings. Traumas like burns or traffic accidents from poor conditions, disasters, or war are higher in low-income countries.
There is also a shortage of reconstructive surgeons globally. To put this into perspective, the U.S. has 1 reconstructive surgeon per 50,000 people, while Sub-Saharan Africa only has 1 reconstructive surgeon per 10,000,000 people. It is well-proven that universal access to surgical care alleviates poverty and suffering and contributes to the sustainable development goals.
Not only does access to free and safe reconstructive surgery transform lives; it transforms global economies. One surgery can mean that a child or an adult in a low-income country can go to school, get a job and contribute to their family and community.
96%
Of fatal fire-related burns occur in low-income countries
30%
Of the global burden of disease is from surgically treatable conditions
3x
More than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS combined
Every 2 Seconds
Someone dies as a result of an untreated surgical condition
17 Million
People die each year due to surgically treatable conditions
5 Billion
People do not have access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care
Meet Our Patients
The patients we serve through our Local Outreach Partners and Surgical Team Trips programs at ReSurge are the core of what we do, and, in many ways, those we treat transform our lives as much as we change theirs. Discover more about their life-changing stories below.
We are grateful for our opportunity to touch the lives of those needing surgical treatment worldwide and grow sustainable systems for local surgical teams in low-income countries. However, we cannot make an impact without your support. Donate today to create a ripple effect that changes the world through life-changing, no-cost reconstructive surgeries.
