{"id":"07ac483f-6fe7-4f66-94e6-6318e63b8912","slug":"surgery-as-a-global-health-issue","title":"Surgery as a Global health issue","authors":["Walter D. Johnson"],"abstract":"Background: Surgical care has emerged as a critical global health issue, with more deaths attributed to lack of access to surgical services than to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. The burden of surgical conditions is particularly high in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where surgical care is often perceived as overly expensive. The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of emergency and essential surgical care as a vital component of primary health care delivery. Methods: Various methods have been employed to provide surgical care in LMICs, including sending Western-trained surgeons to remote areas and utilizing short-term surgeons. More recently, institutional twinning has gained traction, where partnerships between Western universities and LMIC institutions foster surgical expertise and research. Additionally, training local physicians as surgeons has been emphasized to ensure culturally appropriate care and sustainable healthcare solutions. Results: Training programs for surgical residents in LMICs, such as the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons, have shown promising results, with all finishing residents passing their fellowship examinations. These residents demonstrate proficiency in a range of surgical techniques, although their exposure to certain advanced procedures may be limited. Evidence suggests that these training initiatives enhance the capacity of local hospitals and improve surgical care delivery. Conclusion: The development of surgical training programs within LMICs is essential for addressing the unmet surgical needs of these populations. By fostering local expertise and improving access to surgical care, these initiatives can significantly contribute to global health outcomes and reduce health disparities. Keywords: surgery, global health, low and middle-income countries, surgical training, health disparities, emergency care, essential surgical care","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/07ac483f-6fe7-4f66-94e6-6318e63b8912/featured/hero-1782420887768.png","publishDate":"2013-04-03T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.110030","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"http://sni.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/3698/SNI-4-47.pdf"}