About Us

My entry into surgery unfolded in resource-scarce East Africa, a crucible where improvisation wasn't just a tactic, but a way of life. I can still see myself using silk suture in lieu of proper bowel clamps during a critical operation—a clear illustration of our equipment desert.

We often found ourselves reliant on a parade of visiting medical teams from more affluent nations. Though they generously shared their "best approaches," their very presence served as a potent, if unintended, spotlight on our own resource deficits, knowledge gaps, and skill limitations. It became painfully clear that local practitioners were rarely truly empowered to tackle their own challenges or seek genuinely equitable partnerships.

This fueled the creation of Upasuaji International. My purpose was to offer a perspective rooted in my firsthand experience growing up and training in these environments. I hold a deep conviction that sustainable, impactful solutions are born when local practitioners are empowered, equipped, and able to tap into the resilience and strengths of their own communities just as they have for generations. 

Upasuaji International has since introduced Healthcare-Centered Community Development. This progressive, sustainable framework not only elevates local healthcare providers but strengthens entire communities by linking healthcare delivery to their unique needs and foundational capacities.