About this session
I have overcome hurdles in my path to becoming an academic surgeon, motivated by a desire to address the needs of patients. Now, I reflect on two key challenges. Is surgery accessible to those most in need? And, to what extent, do our current practices impact on the health of the planet?
In the first part of my talk, I highlight the hundreds of millions who live with a perforated eardrum: leading to recurrent discharge of infected pus and disabling loss of hearing. Most of these individuals live in low- and middle-income countries, and are excluded from society because of their disease, but also because the surgical care they need is not available to them. I discuss my research exploring community-centred care for these disorders.
In the second part, I explore how a linear economy for products used in surgery, sourced through global value chains, has propagated labour abuse and environmental degradation. I outline my work to mitigate these impacts and improve employment rights and sustainability, through research, policy and advocacy.
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