More than 200 genocide survivors are scheduled to receive free plastic surgery from Indian and Nigerian Rotary club sponsored specialists in a ten-day activity dubbed the 2013 Rotary Medical Mission to Rwanda for Plastic Surgery at the University teaching hospital of Kigali (CHUK).
The mission has been organized by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with the Rotary International and the Rotarians from Rwanda and Indian Rotary clubs.
Speaking at the official launch, Dr. Théobald Hategekimana, CHUK director, said that this activity is the result of advocacy by Assistance Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG) and Genocide Widows Association (AVEGA). He said beneficiaries are genocide survivors who after screening, were found in need of special plastic surgery.
He added, “This is a great initiative since the country is in shortage of specialists in plastic surgery because we have only one specialist in this domain”
Local leaders select beneficiaries who are admitted to the surgery. They are requested to present FARG documents testifying that they are vulnerable genocide survivors and a health insurance card.
Beneficiaries have appreciated the initiative, as they would normally not be able to afford the operation, but expressed worries over the necessary requirements.
“We were only selected and told that we have to show up here today. They did not tell us what we are supposed to bring”, says one of the beneficiaries who argued that they were not informed ahead of time about the requirements and are may miss out the chance to present the correct documents within the ten days.
Officials from FARG say that they have been informed and emphasized that none will receive the operation if he or she does not present the ‘genocide survivor vulnerability’ document and a health insurance card. There are at least 3,000 genocide survivors who need such an operation, but only around 200 are able to receive it in this year’s partnership.
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the ‘correction’, or restoration of appearance and function. Though cosmetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic. Plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery as well as burn treatment.
