(Image: Supplied)
Two surgeons from Inverness have received UK Humanitarian Medals in recognition of their life-saving work supporting communities affected by conflict in Ukraine and Gaza.
Professor Angus Watson and Andy Kent were among 98 UK-Med responders awarded medals conferred by His Majesty The King for their contributions to emergency healthcare in challenging environments.
Anna Paisley, Andy Kent, Professor Angus Watson and Professor Tony Redmond. (Image: Supplied)
Both have volunteered with UK-Med, a frontline medical non-governmental organisation, deploying to conflict zones to support local healthcare teams and patients.
Mr Kent, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Raigmore Hospital, worked with a specialist surgical team in Gaza to support local clinicians and advise on complex injuries. In Ukraine, he helped health professionals strengthen surgical services in areas affected by the ongoing conflict.
Professor Watson, vice-president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, consultant surgeon with NHS Highland and professor of surgery at the University of Aberdeen, has also deployed with UK-Med. His work in Ukraine included helping establish a field surgical unit to restore services disrupted by the conflict.
The medals were presented by Professor Tony Redmond, founder of UK-Med, recognising responders who have supported communities affected by conflict and disaster.
Andy Kent, Professor Tony Redmond and Professor Angus Watson. (Image: Supplied)
The UK Humanitarian Medal was introduced by the UK Government to honour people who respond to humanitarian emergencies in circumstances requiring significant contributions.
Both surgeons are members of the Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The faculty brings together healthcare professionals working to strengthen medical services in areas where resources are limited and access to care can be difficult.
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Andy Kent, trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Raigmore Hospital, said: "I'm truly honoured to receive the Humanitarian Medal.
"Humanitarian healthcare work is a real team effort, and I’ve been privileged to work alongside some incredible local health professionals in extremely challenging circumstances.
"I'm grateful to my colleagues in NHS Highland and my family for supporting me to take part in these deployments."
Professor Angus Watson, vice-president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, said: "I'm humbled to receive this honour, but I'm mindful every day of the suffering and dignity I witnessed during my two deployments of Gaza with UK-Med.
"My thoughts are with the healthcare teams who continue to provide compassionate care in incredibly challenging conditions.
"Now more than ever, the world needs more humanitarians."
David Wightwick, chief executive of UK-Med, said: "Angus and Andy’s compassion and expertise have been absolutely key in helping people affected by conflict.
"While the medals recognise individual service, humanitarian response is always a team effort, driven by the needs and resilience of the communities being supported."