Spire Parkway Hospital consultant completes surgical support mission in Malawi

• Consultant provides orthopaedic and hand surgery expertise as part of BSSH international programme 

Mr Talvinder Singh, Consultant Hand, Wrist, Elbow and Shoulder Surgeon at Spire Parkway Hospital, has completed a four-week surgical mission to Malawi through a programme organised by the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH). The charitable initiative supported local clinicians at the Lilongwe Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery (LION), where Mr Singh undertook emergency and elective hand surgery and contributed to on-site training.

Malawi has only eighteen Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeons serving the entire population, and access to electricity is limited to around fifteen per cent. These factors contribute to a high incidence of traumatic injuries and limited access to specialist care. 

This was Mr Singh’s second visit to LION. His work formed part of a five-year BSSH initiative supported by consultants on rotation, aimed at strengthening the capacity of local orthopaedic and hand surgery services. The mission also included contributions from a Hand Therapist and a Registrar, and the team was received at the British High Commissioner’s Residence during the visit. 

Mr Talvinder Singh at the Lilongwe Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery (LION) in Malawi.

Mr Talvinder Singh, Consultant Hand, Wrist, Elbow and Shoulder Surgeon at Spire Parkway Hospital, said: “This programme provided an opportunity to support local teams in delivering specialist care. I carried out emergency and elective hand surgery and offered training where it was needed. Malawi is a beautiful and peaceful country, and the people were extremely welcoming. I’m also grateful for the equipment and support provided by colleagues, which helped us work more effectively.” 

Emily Montgomery, Hospital Director at Spire Parkway Hospital, said: “Mr Singh’s participation highlights the strength of clinical expertise within our consultant team. His contribution has supported access to specialist care in a setting with limited resources, and we value the positive impact of this type of international collaboration.”