Reconstructive Surgery in Bujumbura: Training, Treating and Building Continuity of Care
From 23 to 28 November 2025, 2nd CHANCE conducted a reconstructive surgery workshop at the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Kamenge – Roi Khaled (CHUK) in Bujumbura, Burundi.
The mission brought together an international and regional team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, an operating theatre nurse and coordinators to strengthen local surgical capacity while providing essential reconstructive care to patients.
The workshop followed the full continuum of care — from consultation and patient selection to surgery and post-operative follow-up — reflecting 2nd CHANCE’s approach to sustainable skills transfer and improved access to reconstructive surgery.
Strengthening surgical skills through practical training
A central objective of the mission was to support the development of reconstructive surgery skills through practical, supervised training.
Nine participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda took part in the workshop, working alongside experienced African and international trainers.
Training took place directly in the clinical environment, covering different stages of patient care, including assessment, surgical planning, operative procedures and post-operative management.
By combining training with real patient care, the workshop supports the transfer of practical knowledge and skills that can continue to benefit patients beyond the mission itself.
Treating patients: from consultation to surgery
Alongside the training component, the team provided reconstructive surgery to patients referred to CHUK.
Following consultations and patient selection, 13 patients received reconstructive surgery during the mission.
For patients affected by conditions that can limit function, mobility or independence, reconstructive surgery can be an important step towards restoring function and improving quality of life.
The close collaboration between the visiting team, trainees and local medical staff made it possible to combine patient care with hands-on learning throughout the surgical process.
Post-operative follow-up: an essential part of care
Surgery is not the end of the care pathway.
Five days after the procedures, the 2nd CHANCE team returned to CHUK to review the patients before leaving Bujumbura. The team assessed their recovery and worked with the local medical teams to ensure that appropriate follow-up was in place.
This final stage is essential to monitor healing, identify any concerns and support continuity of care after the international team has departed.
For 2nd CHANCE, reconstructive surgery means accompanying patients throughout the care pathway — consultation, treatment and follow-up.
A mission built on local collaboration
The success of a workshop depends on the strength of the local teams and partnerships behind it.
The CHUK medical teams played an essential role throughout the mission, from patient assessment and preparation to surgery and post-operative care. Their continued involvement is what allows care and skills to remain rooted locally after the workshop ends.
The commitment of the participants, trainers, coordinators and hospital teams also makes these missions possible.
Thanks to the commitment of our institutional partners, sponsors and donors, 2nd CHANCE can continue to support surgical training and access to reconstructive care across the region.
The Bujumbura mission team
Dr Roba Khundkar — Chief of Mission, Plastic Surgeon, UK
Dr Mohammed Abdurezak — Plastic Surgeon, Ethiopia
Dr Thomas Fischer — Plastic Surgeon, Switzerland
Dr Claudia Pia Fischlin — Plastic Surgeon, Switzerland
Dr Andres Hagermann — Anesthesiologist, Sweden
Dr Samuel Mangold — Anesthesiologist, Switzerland
Karin Bauer — OT Nurse, Switzerland
Anne Zeidan — Coordination, Switzerland
Romina Ferilli — Coordination, Switzerland
Special thanks to Karin Bauer for documenting the mission through her photography with Photomedics.
We are also grateful to the Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Kamenge – Roi Khaled (CHUK), the local medical teams, participants, programme partners, institutional partners, sponsors and donors whose commitment made this mission possible.
Every trained professional contributes to stronger local capacity. Every partnership helps sustain the chain of care. And every patient treated is at the heart of our work.
Together, we rebuild lives.
