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Fostering Long-Term Access to Subspecialty Surgery Through Mentorship and Collaboration in East Africa
Empowering Local Surgeons to Build a Sustainable Future for Advanced Surgical Care
Our Mission
Dedicated to Advancing Subspecialty Surgical Care in East Africa
Founded in 2021, the East Africa Surgical Initiative (EASI) is dedicated to developing world-class subspecialty surgical services for all East Africans, regardless of their background, social status, or financial situation.
Our mission is rooted in sustainability and empowerment. Unlike many organizations that rely on short-term interventions, EASI takes a unique approach by traveling to East Africa in small groups of 1 or 2 clinicians. This ensures the development of meaningful, long-lasting relationships with local healthcare providers.
Through mentorship, education, and hands-on collaboration, we aim to drive lasting improvements in surgical practices. Our ultimate goal is for advanced surgeries on East African patients to be performed by East African clinicians, fostering a healthcare system that thrives independently.
Our mission is rooted in sustainability and empowerment. Unlike many organizations that rely on short-term interventions, EASI takes a unique approach by traveling to East Africa in small groups of 1 or 2 clinicians. This ensures the development of meaningful, long-lasting relationships with local healthcare providers.
Through mentorship, education, and hands-on collaboration, we aim to drive lasting improvements in surgical practices. Our ultimate goal is for advanced surgeries on East African patients to be performed by East African clinicians, fostering a healthcare system that thrives independently.
What Sets Us Apart
EASI’s "train the trainer" model builds the capacity of local clinicians to pass on their knowledge, creating a ripple effect of progress throughout the region. By selecting qualified individuals with strong local ties, we ensure that our efforts have a sustainable and far-reaching impact.
Additionally, we fund formal fellowship training for East African surgeons, enabling them to specialize in critical fields like vascular and cardiac surgery. Our commitment to education extends to advanced technologies, such as cell salvage systems, which we introduce to address unique challenges in the region.
Additionally, we fund formal fellowship training for East African surgeons, enabling them to specialize in critical fields like vascular and cardiac surgery. Our commitment to education extends to advanced technologies, such as cell salvage systems, which we introduce to address unique challenges in the region.
Our Core Values
Dedicated to Advancing Subspecialty Surgical Care in East Africa
At EASI, we are driven by a profound mission: to improve access to subspecialty surgical care. Our vision extends beyond mere treatment; we aim to empower local medical professionals with the skills and resources necessary to ensure advanced surgical availability, envisioning a sustainable healthcare ecosystem guided by three core values
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Collaboration
Collaboration is the cornerstone of our success. By partnering with local and international experts, we bring meaningful, lasting change to the healthcare landscape of East Africa. Together, we can achieve more.
Compassion
Compassion guides our interactions with patients and clinicians alike. We believe every patient deserves not only excellent care but also the empathy and support they need to heal.
Excellence
We are committed to providing local healthcare providers with world-class education and resources. By enabling them to perform at the highest standards, we aim to establish new benchmarks for surgical practice throughout East Africa.
Accountability
EASI is a 100% volunteer, non-profit organization that provides medical services without paid staff. Since its founding, EASI has built a strong track record of excellence in patient care and education. Our clinicians are leaders in their respective fields, affiliated with top academic institutions in Canada.
We take pride in ensuring that every resource is used effectively to improve surgical care in East Africa, focusing on sustainable growth and development.
We take pride in ensuring that every resource is used effectively to improve surgical care in East Africa, focusing on sustainable growth and development.
Meet The Team
Canadian Partners
Dr. Jason Faulds
Dr. Faulds is a surgeon at Vancouver General Hospital and a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of British Columbia. He is a founding member of EASI and has been part of every visit since its inception in 2021. Dr. Faulds holds board certification in General Surgery and Vascular Surgery, with a subspecialty focus on complex aortic surgery. He also holds a Master’s degree in Population and Public Health from the University of British Columbia. Passionate about developing sustainable surgical care in East Africa, Dr. Faulds is also improving his fluency in Swahili.
Aman Sidhu
Ms. Aman Sidhu leads strategic initiatives and innovation in critical care at the Provincial Health Services Authority in British Columbia. She is a senior certified Clinical Perfusionist with over 14 years of experience at Vancouver General Hospital, where she led the Perfusion Services team from 2015 to 2024. Aman has been volunteering in Kenya since 2023 to support long-term improvements in the cardiac program. She enjoys traveling, tackling new challenges, reading, and staying active through health and fitness.
Dr. Iqbal Jaffer
Dr. Jaffer is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at McMaster University and head of Cardiac Surgery Residency training. A specialist in minimally invasive aortic interventions, Dr. Jaffer is a renowned cardiac surgery educator. Born and raised in Mombasa, he is dedicated to improving cardiac surgical services in East Africa.
Dayfdd Samuel
Dafydd is a mergers and acquisitions lawyer in Vancouver with expertise in business law and non-profit governance. He brings his experience in compliance and regulatory challenges to EASI. Dafydd is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to an initiative that aligns with his personal values. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, mountain biking, skiing, and spending time with family and friends.
Sarj Dhaliwal
Sarj Dhaliwal is the CEO of Wyrk Inc., a company that helps people find work to earn extra income in low socio-economic groups. Previously, Sarj was the CFO of a workforce management technology company. She has over 15 years of experience at the Big 4 accounting firms, specializing in domestic and international income tax.
Kenyan Partners
Dr. Peter Sore
Dr. Sore is the Head of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya.
Dr. John Kinyua
Dr. Kinyua is the first dedicated Vascular Surgeon at Coast General Hospital, having undergone specialty training with support from EASI.
Dr. Iqbal Kandwalla
Dr. Kandwalla is the CEO of Coast General Hospital, Mombasa, overseeing the hospital's strategic direction and operations.
