Dr. Ahmad Ashrafi Leads Surgical Team on Humanitarian Mission to Afghanistan

A team of health-care professionals led by Dr. Ahmad Ashrafi from Surrey Memorial Hospital embarked on a humanitarian mission to Afghanistan in October 2024. Their goal was to share essential medical knowledge and provide training to local health-care workers at the Ali Abad Teaching Hospital in Kabul. The team included anesthesiologist Dr. Jean Gelinas, critical care nurses Tayne Bong and Sajia Yousofi, nurse practitioner Dorothy Suliga, and intensivist Dr. Angela Babuk. They aimed to improve surgical practices and critical care capabilities in a country facing significant health care challenges.

Background and Motivation

Dr. Ashrafi, who serves as the regional division head of thoracic surgery at Surrey Memorial Hospital, expressed a long-standing interest in global health, partly rooted in his own background as an immigrant from Afghanistan. He left the country in 1983 and has since pursued opportunities to contribute to global medical efforts. He previously initiated a thoracic surgery program in Mongolia and offered training in Uzbekistan.

In March 2024, Ashrafi visited Afghanistan to assess the situation at the Ali Abad Teaching Hospital, where he found local medical staff eager for knowledge and support. Following this visit, he organized a team to provide hands-on training and perform surgeries.

The Mission in Afghanistan

The team arrived in Kabul on October 18, 2024, and spent nearly two weeks collaborating with Afghan health-care workers. They performed several surgeries and conducted educational sessions, including a symposium focused on gastrointestinal tract malignancies. The local staff’s enthusiasm for learning impressed the team, as Ashrafi noted, “They were very humble and open to learning.”

The mission was structured into two groups: the surgical team, consisting of Ashrafi, Gelinas, and Suliga, and the critical care team, which included Bong, Yousofi, and Babuk. Gelinas emphasized the crucial role of anesthesiology in surgical success. He stated, “Without him, my job would not have been possible,” referring to his own expertise and its necessity for successful operations.

Dr. Gelinas highlighted the challenges faced by Afghan anesthesiologists, noting that their training is often inadequate compared to what is offered in Canada. “The medical infrastructure has been so heavily damaged,” he remarked, underscoring the dire need for improved education in the field.

Impact and Future Plans

The warmth and hospitality of the Afghan people stood out to team members. Yousofi, who was born in Afghanistan and had not returned since childhood, described her experience as both grounding and heartbreaking. “Being back in the country where my roots lie… was devastating,” she said, reflecting on the stark contrast between the resources available in Canada and those in Afghanistan.

Following the mission, many team members maintained contact with local health-care workers, receiving updates on their progress. Babuk, who developed a comprehensive critical care program plan for the Ali Abad hospital, reported that recommendations from their team were already being implemented. “It’s really cool to see,” she noted.

Dr. Ashrafi hopes to return to Afghanistan with a new team in the future, although the political landscape remains uncertain. “It will be a wait and see situation,” he concluded, reflecting the complexities of international engagement in a region with ongoing challenges.

This mission not only provided immediate medical assistance but also aimed to empower Afghan health-care professionals to enhance their practices sustainably. The dedication and resilience of both the Canadian team and their Afghan counterparts highlight the continuing need for global collaboration in health care.