Senegal: ICRC holds surgery workshop

Twenty-six doctors, surgeons and first-aiders will be attending the workshop, which will cover surgical techniques that ensure better care for patients injured by firearms and explosions. The workshop will also be an opportunity for specialists to discuss such difficulties as handling mass war casualty situations.

Geneviève Kaponda-Kilufya is the medical delegate at the ICRC regional delegation. " Army medical services are often called in during humanitarian emergencies. So it's important that military medical personnel be well-prepared to respond to all kinds of emergencies, through familiarity with tried and tested techniques that can save lives and limit the long-term consequences of injuries. "

The event will give the ICRC an opportunity to discuss the rules of international humanitarian law, which stipulate that everyone must have access to medical care during a conflict or other situation of violence, and that health personnel must be able to work safely and unhindered.

The workshop will be led by two ICRC surgeons, Dr Hassan Nasreddine and Dr Amilcar Contreras.

The ICRC covers Mali, Niger and Senegal from its regional delegations in Niamey and Dakar. From these centres, the organization fulfils its mandate to protect and assist the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. Working in support of the national authorities, the ICRC also promotes international humanitarian law to as wide an audience as possible. Finally, the organization provides support to the national Red Cross Societies of the three countries.