Pediatric surgical camps as one model of global surgical partnership: a way forward.
OBJECTIVE
A uniquely Ugandan method of holding surgical "camps" has been one means to deal with the volume of patients needing surgery and provides opportunities for global partnership.


METHODS
We describe an evolved partnership between pediatric surgeons in Uganda and Canada wherein Pediatric Surgical Camps were organized by the Ugandans with team participation from Canadians. The camp goals were to provide pediatric surgical and anesthetic service and education and to foster collaboration as a way forward to assist Ugandan health delivery.


RESULTS
Three camps were held in Uganda in 2008, 2011, and 2013. A total of 677 children were served through a range of operations from hernia repair to more complex surgery. The educational mandate was achieved through the involvement of 10 Canadian trainees, 20 Ugandan trainees in surgery and anesthesia, and numerous medical students. Formal educational sessions were held. The collaborative mandate was manifest in relationship building, an understanding of Ugandan health care, research projects completed, agreement on future camps, and a proposal for a Canadian-Ugandan pediatric surgery teaching alliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric Surgical Camps founded on global partnerships with goals of service, education, and collaboration can be one way forward to improve pediatric surgery access and expertise globally.
Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Electronic address: gblair@cw.bc.ca.
Geoffrey K
GK
Blair
Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Damian
D
Duffy
Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Doreen
D
Birabwa-Male
Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
John
J
Sekabira
Department of Anesthesia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Eleanor
E
Reimer
Division of Urology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Martin
M
Koyle
Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, USA.
Guy R
GR
Hudson
Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Jennifer
J
Stanger
Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Monica
M
Langer
Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Gareth
G
Eeson
Department of Anesthesia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Heng
H
Gan
Department of Anesthesia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Sean
S
McLean
Division of Urology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
Nikki
N
Kanaroglou
Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Phyllis
P
Kisa
Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Nasser
N
Kakembo
British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
Katherine
K
Lidstone
D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education; D002170:Canada; D057191:Capacity Building / Q000458:organization & administration; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education; D014454:Uganda; D000078329:Workforce
Global partnerships; Surgical camps