Surgery as a Global Health Need

• Published in: Clinics in colon and rectal surgery Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 362 - 370
• Main Authors: Diehl, Thomas M, Soto, Ernie, Laryea, Jonathan A, Zafar, Syed Nabeel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc 01-09-2022
• Series: Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Colorectal Disorders in Resource-Limited Settings
• Subjects: Review; disparities; global health; colorectal surgery; surgical outcomes; surgery
• ISSN: 1531-0043; 1530-9681
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1746185

Surgical care is now recognized as a fundamental component of universal health coverage. Unfortunately, most of the world is still without access to safe and timely surgical care, including 9 out of 10 people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Additionally, even in LMICs with sustainable surgical programs, surgical outcomes continue to lag behind those in high-income countries. In this article, we will provide a brief history and introduction to global surgery, an overview of the existing literature on global surgical outcomes, and a discussion surrounding the challenges to building surgical capacity and improving surgical outcomes in LMICs. In addition, we will discuss the existing frameworks for building surgical care into national universal healthcare plans and initiatives striving improve surgical outcomes in LMICs.