Building Surgical Skills Through Advanced Reconstructive Training in Eldoret, Kenya
From 22 to 26 June 2026, 2nd CHANCE held an Advanced Reconstructive Surgery Workshop at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, bringing together 16 surgeons from 8 African countries: Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
It was the second 2nd CHANCE workshop in Eldoret, following the first one held in 2022.
Training through practice
The workshop combined theoretical teaching, clinical assessment, case discussions and hands-on surgical training.
Participants took part in patient selection and assessment, using the consultation process itself as an opportunity for clinical learning. Throughout the week, teaching focused on complex reconstructive cases, including flap surgery and reconstructive and functional rhinoplasty.
Three intensive days in the operating theatre allowed participants to work alongside experienced 2nd CHANCE trainers while contributing to the care of patients with complex reconstructive needs.
The programme was led by Dr Thomas Fischer, Head of Mission, together with trainers Dr Claudia Fischlin and Dr Abdurezak Ali Mohammed, with Emmanuel Cour as Mission Manager.
Learning across borders
Bringing surgeons from different African countries together creates more than a training opportunity. It creates a space for professionals to exchange experience, discuss complex cases and learn from different surgical environments.
During the workshop, Dr Abdurezak Ali Mohammed also shared his experience of developing a microsurgical service in Ethiopia, illustrating the value of practical knowledge sharing between African surgical teams.
Training alongside local teams
The workshop was made possible through close collaboration with the local team at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, including Dr Amanda Malungo and Dr Alec Gonga, who led the local specialists.
The local operating-room and ward teams were actively involved throughout the week. The collaboration between surgical and anaesthesia teams was an important part of the workshop and reflects the 2nd CHANCE approach: surgical training is most meaningful when it strengthens the capacity of teams working within their own health systems.
MTRH also highlighted the partnership and its contribution to expanding access to reconstructive surgical care while strengthening local expertise in Kenya and the wider East African region.
Read the article published by Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital:
MTRH and 2nd CHANCE Plastic Surgery Program Give a Smile to Reconstructive Surgery Patients
From training to patient care
Across the three surgical days, 14 patients with complex reconstructive needs were treated.
The patients included both adults and children. The final day included a grand round with the local team to review the operated patients and support a professional handover of their care.
For 2nd CHANCE, patient care and professional training are closely connected. Every operation is also an opportunity to learn, share knowledge and strengthen the ability of local teams to provide reconstructive care.
Looking ahead
The week concluded with certificates, trainee presentations and a final exchange with the participants.
The experience also reinforced the potential of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as a setting for future reconstructive surgery workshops, supported by a motivated local team and suitable infrastructure.
At 2nd CHANCE, we believe that expanding access to reconstructive surgery requires more than individual surgical missions. It requires knowledge sharing, practical training and stronger local surgical capacity.
In Eldoret, 16 surgeons came together to learn, operate and exchange experience — while 14 patients received reconstructive surgical care.
We Train. We Treat. We Advocate.
