I am an ENT head and neck surgeon. We will be performing thyroid surgery and surgery on congenital neck mases to an underserved population
This area has a high rate of endemic goiters and associated problems along with poor access to surgical care for congenital neck masses
We plan to perform lectures for the local house staff and mentor them after the trip. We plan to return in the future
In May 2026, our team traveled to Zambia for a week-long medical mission focused on providing specialized surgical care to underserved patients. During the trip, we performed 71 surgeries, many of which involved large thyroid goiters that had gone untreated for years due to limited access to surgical services. The gratitude and hospitality shown by the local patients and communities were remarkable, and it was clear that our assistance was both needed and welcomed.
In addition to providing direct patient care, a major focus of the mission was education and collaboration with local healthcare providers. We worked alongside Zambian physicians and surgical staff, sharing techniques and providing hands-on instruction in thyroid surgery. These partnerships are essential to creating sustainable improvements in patient care and strengthening local surgical capacity.
The experience also highlighted the significant burden of advanced disease that remains in the region. We encountered numerous patients with complex pathology that exceeded what could be addressed during a single week of work. The volume of untreated surgical disease reinforced the importance of continued engagement and long-term collaboration.
Our team left Zambia encouraged by the impact of the mission and inspired by the dedication of the local healthcare professionals. We hope to return in the future to continue serving patients, expand educational opportunities, and address the many surgical needs that remain unmet. The relationships built during this trip have laid the foundation for ongoing partnership and future missions.
