My name is Gianluca Colucci, I am Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectral Surgeon in the UK! Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine- I have been collaborating with Smart Medical Aid - (https://smartmedicalaid.org - https://www.facebook.com/smartmedicalaid ), a charity that has been providing medical supplies and medical training in Ukraine

I was in Ukraine in May 2022 for 3 weeks and again in April 2023 for a further 2 weeks. -

I had been working on several projects including teaching tactical medics, delivering courses to the population (BLS-D and "stop the bleeding", logistics with medical material, and inspection/delivery to hospitals.

I was overwhelmed by the support I received from people. For example, the medical students I supervised helped me to create models who are still now used to teach medics on the frontline ( https://staff.sussex.ac.uk/news/article/60949-bsms-students-involved-in-project-for-teaching-ukrainian-medics)

While the main focus of the Charity is to support the medical needs related to the war, we had been also looking at long-term projects - such as the creation of a healing garden in the Dnipro pediatric hospital or the provision of material for the rehabilitation centers not only for wounded soldiers but also for young people with disabilities.

During my last travel to Ukraine - I visited a couple of regional hospitals in western Ukraine to deliver materials and training. While these hospitals are far away from the frontline, they are receiving many soldiers and civilians from the frontline.

It appeared to me that there is a lot that can be done, not only in supporting them with equipment but also with specific surgical training.

As a colorectal laparoscopic surgeon, I realized that laparoscopy is still in its infancy in many places and is often used only for simple procedures.

The next project I am now working on is to organize a "training laparoscopic week" in November 2023

The current plan would be to provide 3 days of free basic laparoscopic training course to trainees and a 3-day colorectal master class (with live operating)

I am looking for your support to help me raise funds so we can buy laparoscopic trainers and provide essential teaching for the surgeons, who are working in Ukraine!