Effectiveness of the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG) activities in Ukraine

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2022.0442

Keywords:

battlefield medicine, Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG), healthcare facilities attacks, surgical response in Ukraine

Abstract

Objective: Targeting of healthcare infrastructures in Ukraine has served as a tactical warfare strategy. The goal of the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG) is to provide sustainable, high quality medical and surgical care in war zones.

Interventions: GSMSG deployed United States (US) Special Operations veterans and highly specialized licensed medical experts. Training of Ukrainian civilians was implemented.

Results: Over 20,000 Ukrainians trained and over 100 major surgeries performed with assistance of world experts. Specialized medical equipment was also provided.

Conclusion: GSMSG lays the groundwork for effective, high quality, and sustainable surgical interventions into a nation in conflict.

Author Biographies

Aaron Epstein, MD, MA

Resident Physician, Department of Surgery, University of Buffalo/Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, New York

Francesca Voza, MD

Resident Physician, DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami/Jackson Health System, Miami, Florida

Enrique Ginzburg, MD

Professor of Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Trauma Medical Director, Chief of Surgery, Ryder Trauma Center, Jackson South Medical Center, Miami, Florida

References

Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights: Ukraine: Civilian casualty update 3 January 2023. Available at https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/01/ukraine-civilian-casualty-update-3-january-2023. Accessed February 6, 2023.

World Health Organization: SSA home: Surveillance system for attacks on healthcare. Available at https://extranet.who.int/ssa/Index.aspx. Accessed February 9, 2023.

Unukovych D: Surgical services during the war in Ukraine: Challenges and call for help. Br J Surg. 2022; 109: 785-786.

Fong A, Johnson K: Responding to the war in Ukraine. Can J Emerg Med. 2022; 24: 471-472.

American College of Surgeons: “The war changed everything”: Surgeons share lessons learned from Ukraine. Available at https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/newsand-articles/press-releases/2022/the-war-changed-everything-surgeons-share-lessons-learned-from-ukraine/. Accessed November 5, 2022.

Yuhas A: Thousands of civilian deaths and 6.6 million refugees: Calculating the costs of war. The New York Times. August 24, 2022. 7. Ahsan S: Ukrainian health workers respond to war. Lancet. 2022; 399: 896. Erratum in: Lancet. 2022; 399: 1116.

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Published

07/25/2023

How to Cite

Epstein, A., F. Voza, and E. Ginzburg. “Effectiveness of the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG) Activities in Ukraine”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 17, no. 4, July 2023, pp. 273-6, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2022.0442.

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 4 (2022): Fall

Section

Articles

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