Scalpel and Scenary: A Surgical Camp Experience in the valleys of Chitral

Abstract

Dear Editor,

Chitral, found in the mountains of the Hindu Kush is a landlocked area. It faces numerous health problems which are exacerbated by its geography, the harsh climate, and lack of both healthcare infrastructure and professionals¹. Data are scarce on health-related outcomes for Chitral, which results in challenges when forming targeted and effective health policies².

In low-resource and remote areas similar to Chitral, surgical camps have been demonstrated to be an integral part of healthcare delivery. In June 2022, I participated in a surgical camp in Chitral, organized by the Kohi Goth Welfare Hospital. I was accompanied by medical students and doctors from across Pakistan and around the world – including professionals from Canada, the UK, and the USA. This four-day camp aimed to provide consultation and surgical care in a broad variety of specialties: gynaecology and obstetrics, orthopedics, psychiatry, diabetology, and physical rehabilitation.