The Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS) is a non-profit organization that promotes the delivery of essential surgical care to underprivileged people in low-income countries. Its objective is also to reduce death and disability caused by any disturbances in normal functioning of the mind or the body that would require surgery. The CNIS emphasizes education in surgical work and techniques. It also works in surgical development and research. The CNIS was federally incorporated in August 1995 and is managed by an eight- to nine-member board of directors with representation from all over Canada. It has a nationwide membership of physicians, surgeons, and others. The CNIS office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia with satellite office(s) in Africa. Activities The CNIS has described itself as having a "4-pronged approach" to aid. This includes the development, delivery and adaptation of Essential Surgical Skills (ESS) and Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) courses, work in injury prevention, the exchange of surgical information and work in public engagement. ESS and BSS Courses The CNIS is engaged with academic departments or professional associations in the southern hemisphere; one reason why the CNIS was founded was to develop northern infrastructure in order to make Canadian surgeons more effective in an international situation. Delivery of Essential Surgical Skills includes 5-day workshops in which clinicians who are not surgeons are taught basic surgical interventions and life-saving skills. The BSS course is a 2-day workshop, with topics that include lymph node biopsy, tendon repair, and blood vessel anastomosis. The BSS course is an example of training that was developed at the request of an African learning institution. Injury Prevention According to the World Health Organization, injuries and violence account for 9% of global mortality. Two-thirds of deaths due to injury occur in the developing world. It has been argued that injury prevention in low-income countries is an under-scrutinized field. One of the CNIS's primary concerns is injury and, from that, injury-risk reduction. Reducing injury would reduce the need for surgery, while improving access to surgery for residents of low-income countries would improve their overall health. The CNIS has established injury control centers with local governments. Surgical Information Through the Surgical Information Program, the CNIS supports medical school and hospital libraries in Africa by sending new or recent surgical/medical books and journals. The CNIS also funds two African students' and one Canadian student's research scholarship at the Injury Control Centre - Uganda