Surgery and community participation in a community-based programme in war situations.

Abstract

The paper presents the results and the experience gained from three ‘mass surgical interventions’ conducted in the Alpha Civil Hospital, Billing in south Sudan in the period between October 1996 and November 1997. The results showed that surgical services can be provided safely and economically even under most difficult conditions provided professional experience plus community commitment and participation are there. Such interventions lead to the development of strong community self-reliance and willingness which are fundamental if the programme is to be sustained.