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Surgery in a backpack

We find out about a portable operating theatre that could revolutionise health treatment

In some places, the nearest safe operating room can be hours or even days away. We find out about a portable operating theatre called SurgiBox that fits in a backpack and inflates in minutes, creating a safe surgical environment for operations almost anywhere. We meet the co-founder of the start-up behind it and see it put to the test, and speak to a surgeon who has used it to save lives far from a hospital. We also hear from Field Ready, whose engineers in Syria are using 3D printing to bring broken hospital equipment back to life, and we hear about Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms — grassroots command centres where volunteers coordinate life-saving help and vital information in the midst of war.

People Fixing The World from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email peoplefixingtheworld@bbc.co.uk. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Presenter: Myra Anubi
Producer: Craig Langran
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Sound mix: Gareth Jones

(Image:A 'patient' demonstrates the equipment in the Surgibox, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½)

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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 6 Oct 2025 02:06GMT

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