Why The Need for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Plastic and reconstructive surgery can play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals in rural areas of developing countries. These services address a range of conditions, from congenital deformities to injuries resulting from accidents or burns, to the aftereffects of diseases like cancer or infections. In these settings, the lack of access to such specialized care can lead to disability, social stigma, and decreased quality of life.

Trauma: Injuries from traffic accidents, agricultural work, or industrial accidents are common in rural areas. Without access to reconstructive surgery, these injuries can result in permanent disability.
Burns: Open flames used for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated spaces increase the risk of burn injuries. Effective burn care, including reconstructive surgery, is often unavailable in rural areas.
Congenital Anomalies: Conditions like cleft lips and palates, which are easily treatable with surgery, can cause difficulties in feeding, speaking, and social integration.
Infections and Diseases: Diseases such as leishmaniasis and other infections can cause disfiguring lesions requiring reconstructive surgery for functional and aesthetic restoration.
Cancer: Surgery for tumor removal may require subsequent reconstructive procedures to restore form and function, which are not always readily accessible in rural regions.

CHALLENGES

Healthcare Access: Rural areas often lack the necessary infrastructure and healthcare resources. This includes a shortage of trained plastic surgeons, medical facilities equipped for surgery, and follow-up care.
Economic Factors: The cost of travel to urban centers with appropriate facilities, as well as the surgery itself, can be prohibitive for rural populations, many of whom live below the poverty line.
Education: There is often a lack of awareness about the availability and benefits of reconstructive surgery, leading to delayed or no treatment.

STATISTICS

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that injuries and congenital anomalies that could benefit from plastic surgery affect millions worldwide, with a significant portion residing in low- and middle-income countries.
According to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, as many as two-thirds of the world’s population do not have access to safe and affordable surgical care, which directly impacts the availability of reconstructive procedures.
Studies have found that for every 1 million people in low-income countries, there are fewer than 1 surgeon trained to perform reconstructive procedures, compared to several hundred in high-income countries.
It's estimated that up to 30% of the global burden of disease can be treated with surgery, and conditions requiring plastic and reconstructive surgery make up a significant portion of this.