Building Surgical Capacity in Bangladesh

Building Surgical Capacity in Bangladesh
Originally uploaded by interplast

The number of plastic surgeons in Bangladesh has more than doubled in the last few years. The growth is largely due to the post-graduate program in plastic surgery Dr. Shafquat Knundkar began in 2000 at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Ten of Bangladesh’s 15 plastic surgeons are Knundkar’s former students. Currently, there are 15 residents (or registrars as they are called here) in his plastic surgery unit at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, with another 60 medical students or general surgery residents (more junior students) who wish to pursue plastic surgery. Once all of these students graduate, Bangladesh is expected to have 75 more doctors who can help with the tremendous need for reconstructive surgery here. Knundkar’s vision and determination in establishing this program is building sustainable, surgical capacity in the most densely populated country on earth. Interplast is very proud to support his work by bringing a surgical team to help with the backlog of cases and provide hands-on training to these wonderful residents. Shown here are two residents assisting Dr. Sally Langley, volunteer plastic surgeon from New Zealand, while several others observe.