Photo by The Malawi Project
FAQ
1. What is the Bellagio Essential Surgery Group?
The Bellagio Essential Surgery Group is a group committed to raising international awareness to increase access to surgical services in resource constrained settings in sub-Saharan Africa. Through cross-country collaborations, we work in partnership with governments and agencies committed to addressing the surgical burden of disease.
The BESG aims to increase access to essential surgical services by:
- advocating for the integration of surgery into health systems.
- networking surgical providers, public health practitioners, policy makers and researchers.
- promoting the development of projects, training programs and priority research.
2. How do I advocate for improved access to essential surgery?
There are many ways to get involved in advocating for increasing access to surgical services, training, and research around the world. Members of the BESG are actively engaged in a wide range of surgery related initiatives throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Group members have knowledge an experience in integrating surgery at the district level, trauma system development, surgical training strategies and research. If you are interested in getting involved in a specific area or in a particular country, please contact us and we may be able to link you to one of the BESG members or affiliated organizations.
3. Does the BESG fund surgery research and programs?
The BESG does not financially support surgery research or programs; however, members have applied for funding together on behalf of the group. BESG is always interested in building collaborations across groups with similar goals and interests.
4. Can I attend the July conference in Kampala?
Due to limited funding and space, we are not able to accommodate all of those interested in attending the follow-up to the Bellagio I conference. Anyone interested in learning more about the conference activities and outcomes is welcome to contact us.
5. How is the BESG organized?
BESG is an African led initiative that is currently receiving logistical support from UCSF Global Health Sciences, the World Health Organization, the Karolinska Institute, and additional international BESG members. Funding and support for BESG activities have been provided by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
6. Does the BESG only work in sub-Saharan Africa?
The original members of the BESG represented sub-Saharan Africa countries including Eritrea, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. While the group’s work over the past year has focused on increasing access to quality surgical services in resource constrained settings, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, the BESG mission is not limited to that region. The group advocates for improved surgical services throughout all resource constrained areas.
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