To address critical gaps in trauma and emergency medical care, the Centre for Global Surgery (CGS), in partnership with the Gaston Berger University, successfully implemented two essential courses in Saint-Louis, Senegal, on February 26-27 and February 28, 2025 in French. The Trauma and Disaster Team Response (TDTR) and the Prehospital Care Training (PHC) courses were specifically designed to enhance the capacity of both healthcare professionals and non-healthcare responders in trauma management, with a strong focus on fostering surgical equity and improving access to urgent care in underserved regions.
The TDTR course trained 45 healthcare professionals, including surgeons, emergency doctors, nurses, and students, with a participant breakdown of 73% males and 33% females. It equipped them with essential skills for managing trauma in disaster settings. The course consists of two components: an online portion featuring didactic lectures, available for free on the UNITAR platform, and an in-person segment that includes team exercises and simulations. Of those who provided feedback, 97% expressed strong satisfaction with the knowledge they gained, either strongly agreeing or agreeing with the course's effectiveness.
The Prehospital Care (PHC) course, attended by 35 participants, mainly firefighters, focused on equipping emergency responders with critical skills for the early stages of trauma treatment. Designed based on a local needs assessment, it emphasized the importance of training non-healthcare providers. Practical skills such as chest compressions, wound packing, and airway management were specifically selected to address urgent medical needs in the prehospital setting, especially in rural and underserved areas where healthcare access may be limited.
The courses combined on-site presentations and discussions with in-person simulations, ensuring participants received both theoretical and practical experience. The structure was designed to overcome barriers identified in the needs assessment, such as limited resources and time constraints. The emphasis on hands-on practical sessions, interactive simulations, and group discussions provided participants with the tools they need to respond effectively in emergency situations.
This initiative, supported by CGS, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and local partner Gaston Berger University, is a key part of the effort to provide surgical equity. It strengthens local healthcare capacities and fosters long-term improvements in emergency medical response, ensuring that more communities in Senegal have access to the critical care they need, particularly in times of disaster and trauma.
