Cancer is a rapidly growing problem in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The NCI, UN, and WHO have all recognized this as a global health priority. In addition to infectious related cancers that traditionally exist in sub Saharan Africa, there … Continued
SOS created a population based community survey to understand the incidence and prevalence of surgically treatable conditions in low-resource settings. The survey tool, Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS), has been undertaken in Rwanda (2011) and Sierra Leone (2012). … Continued
SOS provided funding for the implementation of the SOSAS survey in Rwanda. The study found that 6.4% of the population were in need of surgical care and that 33% of deaths might have been avoided with timely access to surgery. … Continued
Based on a high incidence of inoperable cancer of the esophagus, SOS helped implement a program to procure stents and provide training. An expert in the use of stents in low resources settings was flown to Malawi and two training … Continued
In 2008, SOS began collaborating with surgeons in Sierra Leone. The first undertaking was an assessment of surgical capacity at all government hospitals. The results showed that the hospitals in Sierra Leone were in poorer condition than hospitals during the US Civil War in 1864.
More than 2 billion people around the world do not have access to basic surgical care. Approximately 56 million people in Africa need an operation today.
Surgeons OverSeas (SOS) is dedicated to saving lives in developing countries by improving surgical care. We provide support to local surgeons, hospitals and Ministries of Health in low and middle-income countries to assist in developing long-term surgical capacity.
SOS programs concentrate on emergency and basic surgical care – life saving and disability preventing procedures that can easily be undertaken and taught in resource-limited environments.
We also provides a forum for surgeons and residents in developed countries to more easily connect with colleagues in developing countries.
Our mission is simple: To saves lives in developing countries by improving surgical care through collaborative training, funding, and research initiatives.