The challenges in low and middle income countries
Due to poor surgical infrastructure and limited surgical training opportunities, 9 out of 10 people in low and middle income countries cannot access the most basic surgical services: surgery that can save lives. Conditions requiring surgical care account for up to 30% of the global burden of disease almost all maternal deaths (99%) occur in developing countries. Surgeons in these countries operate in challenging environments, including having limited equipment and intermittent power. UK immigration rules and the European Working Time Directive make it almost impossible for non-EU trainees to be trained in the UK. Increasing surgical skills increases retention of surgeons in underserved areas and improves patient outcomes; more cases treated more effectively.
International bursaries
Our International Bursaries provide entry to ASGBI’s International Surgical Congress and two days visiting a UK hospital. All trainees in specialist training programmes in General Surgery in LMICs may apply. The 2020 Congress theme is “Future Surgery” – particularly pertinent to surgeons in LMICs, where morbidity and infection rates could be reduced through improved surgical practice. Hospital visits demonstrate effective processes and techniques: ward rounds, team working, nurses in surgery, instrument preparation, elective and emergency surgery, supporting loved ones. Recipients apply and share learning in their home countries, delivering improved outcomes for patients. We aim to deliver five bursaries each year, to provide support to surgical trainees from poorly resourced countries in the development of their training. Each bursary is worth £2,000 and includes:
- Six nights’ accommodation
- 3-day registration for the ASGBI Congress
- £20 / day subsistence rate
- £800 towards travel expenses (re-imbursement of receipts)
How to apply
The 2020 Congress will take place from 10th to 12th June inclusive at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow. Bursary winners will be hosted in a hospital or Trust local to the conference for two days prior to the Congress. Applications should consist of a Curriculum Vitae, with two supporting written clinical references, and a covering letter, describing why you wish to attend the Congress and the ways in which you hope to benefit, before Friday 7th February 2020. Any Trainee in a specialist training programme in General Surgery in a poorly resourced country is eligible to apply. Applications should be submitted to Bhavnita Patel: bhavnita@asgbi.org.uk
Bursary sponsorship
We are always keen to speak to funders and donors interested in sponsoring bursaries. We offer naming opportunities for funders and invite them to present an award to their bursary recipient at the Congress. Please contact Bhavnita Patel for further information: bhavnita@asgbi.org.uk | 020 7304 4770
