The Right to Heal was screened at the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) conference, last March 29, followed by a presentation by Prof Michael Cotton, Chairman of the International Collaboration for Essential Surgery (ICES). Prof Cotton gave an abbreviated outline of the purpose and goal of ICES. This was followed by a presentation by Dr Jaymie Henry, Executive Director of ICES, of the global surgery advocacy efforts of the Right to Heal and the 15x15 campaign.
Over 600 delegates had gathered in Belfast’s spacious auditorium, where only a few months earlier, US President Barack Obama had addressed the G8 summit.
The distinguished audience included all four presidents of the British and Irish Royal Colleges of Surgery, rarely present all together at any one event.
This was thus a huge privilege, as well as a great responsibility.
During the showing of the Right to Heal film the audience was hushed in rapt attention: indeed, when the viewing had finished, you could have heard a pin drop. Furthermore, during both talks, the same fixed concentration was virtually palpable throughout the auditorium. Numbers of surgical trainees afterwards presented their compliments, and registered their keenness to get involved.
There was no doubt that the UK Surgeons of the future enthusiastically received the message of The Right to Heal. We look forward to future efforts from these promising young individuals!