{"id":"b0fa23ea-f124-47eb-bbf0-23b3b3401e65","slug":"neurosurgical-trips-to-war-zones-mission-impossible","title":"Neurosurgical trips to war zones: Mission (im)possible?","authors":["Zahraa F. Al-Sharshahi","Zaid Aljuboori","Alejandro Carrasquilla","Alexandra Malone","Keenan Boulnemour","Wamedh Esam Matti","Ernest J. Barthélemy","Farhan A. Mirza"],"abstract":"Background: Medical mission trips have historically provided humanitarian service, with a significant focus on low-income countries. In the context of Iraq, there is a critical need for neurosurgery capacity-building initiatives due to decades of conflict that have severely impacted the healthcare system. The demand for neurosurgical care far exceeds the available resources, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions. Summary: This letter discusses the challenges and potential solutions for enhancing neurosurgical care in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of sustainable capacity-building initiatives. Previous missions have not adequately addressed the complexities of neurosurgery, often lacking comprehensive assessment and follow-up. The authors propose that effective strategies must consider local cultural, political, and socioeconomic factors to improve healthcare delivery. Conclusion: To effectively address the neurosurgical care gap in Iraq, it is essential to transition from one-time mission trips to sustainable initiatives that leverage local resources and expertise. By focusing on education, community engagement, and infrastructure optimization, these efforts can lead to lasting improvements in neurosurgical capacity and patient care. Keywords: neurosurgery, capacity building, medical missions, Iraq, healthcare, sustainability, neurotrauma, humanitarian service","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/general-neurosurgery.png","publishDate":"2024-02-02T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_918_2023","categories":["General Neurosurgery","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/b0fa23ea-f124-47eb-bbf0-23b3b3401e65/pdf"}