Gino Strada

Gino Strada (21 April 1948 – 13 August 2021) was an Italian surgeon and humanitarian, best known for founding the NGO Emergency, which provides free medical treatment to the victims of war, landmines, and poverty. Strada dedicated much of his life to offering high-quality medical and surgical care to those in dire need, advocating for a world without war.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Gino Strada was born in Sesto San Giovanni, a suburb of Milan, Italy. He pursued his medical studies at the University of Milan, where he specialized in emergency surgery. Driven by a profound sense of justice and the desire to alleviate suffering, Strada's early career saw him working in hospitals in Italy. However, his path took a significant turn when he decided to focus on providing medical care in war-torn regions.

Career[edit | edit source]

Strada's career in war surgery began in 1988 when he joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Over the next seven years, he worked in 18 different war zones, including Pakistan, Ethiopia, Peru, Afghanistan, and Somalia. His experiences during these missions deeply impacted him, leading to his lifelong commitment to humanitarian work.

In 1994, disillusioned with the bureaucracy he encountered within international organizations, Strada, along with his wife Teresa Sarti, founded Emergency. The organization aimed to provide high-quality, free medical and surgical care to the victims of war and poverty and to promote a culture of peace and respect for human rights.

Emergency quickly grew from its initial project in Rwanda to operate in 19 countries, building hospitals, surgical centers, rehabilitation centers, pediatric clinics, and a network of first aid posts and health centers. Notably, Emergency's work in Afghanistan, where it has run a surgical center for war victims since 1999, has been widely recognized and praised.

Advocacy[edit | edit source]

Beyond his surgical work, Strada was a vocal advocate for the abolition of war and the promotion of human rights. He criticized military interventions and the arms trade, arguing that war is a massive public health problem. Strada believed in the power of medicine as a means of promoting peace, often stating that every human being has the right to be cured regardless of their economic status or beliefs.

Death and Legacy[edit | edit source]

Gino Strada passed away on 13 August 2021, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, dedication, and activism. His work has inspired countless individuals to join the humanitarian field and continues to influence discussions on healthcare, war, and peace.

Emergency, under the guidance of Strada's principles, continues to operate and expand its services, embodying his belief in a world where medical care is accessible to all as a fundamental human right.