Canadian Network for International Surgery

The Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS) is a non-profit organization that promotes the delivery of essential surgical care to the underprivileged. Their vision is to empower low-income countries to create an environment where the risk of injuries is minimal and all people receive adequate surgical care.

The CNIS was federally incorporated in August of 1995 and is managed by a nine-member board of directors with representation from all over Canada. It has a nationwide membership of physicians, surgeons, and other concerned citizens who share a commitment to improving the health of people in low-income countries.

The CNIS office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Activities
CNIS 4-prong approach to aid:


 * ESS Courses
 * Injury Prevention
 * Surgical Information
 * Public Engagement

ESS Courses
Delivery of Essential Surgical Skills 5-day workshops where students are taught basic surgical interventions and 40 life saving skills.

Injury Prevention
As a surgical organization, the CNIS wants to improve access to surgical care but also aims to reduce the need for surgery. Injury leads to premature death and disability in all countries. However, in low-income countries the toll is particularly high.

CNIS promotes and works on establishing injury control centers with local governments.

Surgical Information
CNIS promotes the sharing of knowledge between African and Canadian partner organizations and institutions through a Surgical Information Program. As a 'learning organization', CNIS wishes to increase the knowledge and skill base of our African partners with information. CNIS supports medical school and hospital libraries in Africa by sending new or recent surgical/medical books and journals. CNIS funds two African and one Canadian student's research scholarship at the Injury Control Centre - Uganda (ICC-U). With the help of the Canadian Journal of Surgery, CNIS provides editorial support to the Association of Surgeons of East and Central Africa Journal of Surgery.

Public Engagement
Since its incorporation, the CNIS has been active across Canada through its Public Engagement Program. The objective of the program is to raise the awareness of Canadians of the importance of health in development, promote the need for access to safe surgical and obstetrical care in Africa, and promote the active particiaption of Canadian surgical professionals in international surgery projects. Activities that take place within the Public Engagement Program include workshops and seminars, quarterly newsletters and cultural events.

Collaborating Countries
"The CNIS works to empower low-income countries to create an environment where the risk from injuries is minimal and all people receive adequate surgical care."

With the collaboration of African and Canadian surgeons, the CNIS has implemented various programs and courses throughout Africa in:


 * Ethiopia
 * Malawi
 * Mozambique
 * Tanzania
 * Uganda

Innovation Project
CNIS launched a new innovation project to establish surgical learning centers at six Universities in Ethiopia. The universities in this project will have learning centers that are dedicated for surgical and obstetrical care at the end of the project. The project also will have an institutional capacity building component where surgical department staff will attend workshops in management, leadership and fund raising skills. The project builds on results of previous efforts, which are intended to promote long term capacity building in obstetrical and surgical operations and care. The learning centers will enable universities to train and certify primary care physicians, surgeons, instructors, and other health professionals as well as build up their institutional capacity (fund raising, creating linkage) They will provide growing support for hospitals, health centers, and clinics across Ethiopia to address the critical health needs of the population.

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) granted $200,000 for the project.

The Toronto Chapter of the Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association (ENAHPA) matches the CIDA fund for this project based on a MOU of mutual support signed in May. ENAHPA will provide $100,000 for the project. The CNIS agreed to provide obstetrical and essential skills training to assist ENAHPA's safe motherhood project in Awassa.

References and External Links
http://www.cnis.ca/. CNIS Website

http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca. Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Website

http://www.enahpa.org. Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association (ENAHPA) Website

http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/33493/la_id/1.htm. Canadian Journal of Surgery Page.

http://www.cma.ca.Canadian Medical Association Website.