Over the past decade, there has been a change in posture towards surgery within the global health community. It is now well established that over 5 billion people do not have access to safe, timely, or affordable surgical care. We recognize surgical care as an essential component of universal health care, and much more research is needed to quantify the impact of this inequity and to set the stage for multinational solutions.

Globally, doctors in various fields who work in LMICS have come to witness the devastating impact of common maxillofacial conditions on individuals. From large benign tumors to facial trauma, individuals with these conditions often live in isolation, suffering in the shadows due to their disfigurement, and due to their difficulty in speaking or eating. Mission trips for years have resulting in eye catching before and after photographs of adults who suffered for decades due to lack of access to care.

The stage is now set to move from mission trips to health system strengthening. Our vision is to close this gap and increase access to care globally through the mobilization of innovation, research, and education. We focus on maxillofacial trauma, infections, and pathology.

We collaborate with neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, general surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, nurses, and all those who have a vested interest in improving the lives of children and adults who suffer from maxillofacial conditions. We welcome your engagement and participation.

-Dr. Salim Afshar