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

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 4 (2022): Fall

Section

Articles

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