Ep 47: Shahrzad Joharifard

Delivery of surgical services in low-resource settings is extremely difficult. Supply chain issues, funding, shortages of supplies, and even lack of healthcare professionals are each enormous hurdles in and of themselves. What about when civil conflict arises and a war begins? Increases in different types of injuries start to plague the already fragile system. How does one get life-saving supplies via the already scarce supply chain when roads have been taken out by bombs or blocked by military personnel? Doctors, nurses, and support staff, all risking their lives each day just to show up and provide care. Join us with guest host Ala Magzoub as we talk with Dr. Shahrzad Joharifard about her work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during civil conflict and the unique challenges inherent to surgical delivery in this space. In this robust episode, we also learn about anti-racism and helping people to self-identify racist, sexist, or homophobic actions and comments. As a healthcare team, safe and conscientious spaces are vital to the delivery of surgical services and each of us can do our part to encourage these practices from ourselves and others.