Women urged to apply for plastic surgery scholarships

Education and Training Manager Africa at Smile Train Patrick Mwai and Senior Manager PR and Communications Emily Manjeru receive an appreciation award from Thematic Head Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Nairobi Prof Ferdinand Nangole. [Courtesy, Smile Train]

Women across the country have been called upon to apply for full scholarships to pursue Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery at the University of Nairobi.

Smile Train on Saturday said the move aims to elevate the surgical capacity across the country and the African continent.

Speaking during the Annual Kenya Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (KSPRAS) Conference in Mombasa, Smile Train Education and Training Manager- Africa Patrick Mwai said out of 16 scholars currently being supported by Smile Train in the program, only 3 are women.

Under the theme of 'Harmony and Diversity: Advancing Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery across Africa' the conference brought together topflight surgeons from across the continent to discuss ways in which surgical interventions can build resilient health systems.

Mwai observed that while the organisation invests in training quality plastic surgeons across the Africa region, there are few women applicants to the program.

"Women and children are among the greatest population in need of plastic surgery, yet there are still very few women plastic surgeons. Since 2021, Smile Train has collaborated with the University of Nairobi Department of Surgery to offer full scholarships in a bid to bring more qualified surgeons closer to the doorsteps of the patients who need them most. Out of 16 scholars supported by Smile Train in the program, only 3 are women. We continue to urge more women to apply for the program to bridge this gap," said Mr Mwai.

According to him, reconstructive surgery plays a crucial role in building resilient health systems, especially in resource-limited settings.

He said aesthetic and reconstructive surgery not only restores physical appearance but also improves quality of life, enhances psychological well-being, and promotes social reintegration.

"While Smile Train's focus is on quality cleft surgical outcomes, the bigger picture is that our collaboration with the University of Nairobi will reduce the risk of mortality or permanent disability associated with poor surgical care," he said.

On his part, Thematic Head Department of Plastic Surgery Prof Ferdinand Nangole said the conference enhances knowledge exchange within the region.

"As we continue to improve the quality of surgical capacity in Africa, we host the KSPRAS Conference to encourage discourse on how to build resilient surgical ecosystems in our local community. It is our aspiration that through this conference many more surgeons and in particular women will strengthen our surgical network," said Prof Nangole.

Research by the Lancet Commission indicates that 5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical and anaesthesia care, with surgical conditions accounting for 35 per cent of the global burden of disease.

Smile Train, through the University of Nairobi Department of Surgery, established a scholarship program that has so far supported 16 resident doctors pursuing plastic and reconstructive surgery since its inception.

The scholarship program which identifies 2 Kenyan scholars and 2 foreign residents per year invests Sh 20,908,287 annually since 2021.

The foreign scholars are from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Uganda.

Further, Smile Train has supported the upgrade of the Microsurgery Unit, provision of surgical equipment (loupes), research grants and leveraging innovation through Simulare Medical simulation workshops which enhances the confidence of the surgeons and quality outcomes of cleft surgery.

The collaboration has seen more than 100 patients with clefts receiving free surgery across Kenya in 2023, intending to impact over up to 200 patients with clefts through outreach programs in the coming year.

Smile Train, which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2024, has transformed the lives of close to 2 million beneficiaries globally.

Since 2002, Smile Train in Africa has partnered with more than 700 local hospitals and over 300 medical professionals in 38 countries across the Sub-Sahara region to provide more than 170,000 free cleft treatments.