Emphasizing the Role of Neurosurgery Within Global Health and National Health Systems: A Call to Action

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years lost and the second leading cause of death. Despite global health capacity-building efforts, each year, 22.6 million individuals worldwide require neurosurgeon's care due to diseases such as traumatic brain injury and hydrocephalus, and 13.8 million of these individuals require surgery. It is clear that neurosurgical care is indispensable in both national and international public health discussions. This study highlights the role neurosurgeons can play in supporting the global health agenda, national surgical plans, and health strengthening systems (HSS) interventions.Methods: Guided by a literature review, the authors discuss key topics such as the global burden of neurosurgical diseases, the current state of neurosurgical care around the world and the inherent benefits of strong neurosurgical capability for health systems.Results: Neurosurgical diseases make up an important part of the global burden of diseases. Many neurosurgeons possess the sustained passion, resilience, and leadership needed to advocate for improved neurosurgical care worldwide. Neurosurgical care has been linked to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus highlighting the tremendous impact neurosurgeons can have upon HSS initiatives.Conclusion: We recommend policymakers and global health actors to: (i) increase the involvement of neurosurgeons within the global health dialogue; (ii) involve neurosurgeons in the national surgical system strengthening process; (iii) integrate neurosurgical care within the global surgery movement; and (iv) promote the training and education of neurosurgeons, especially those residing in Low-and middle-income countries, in the field of global public health.

Regional Variation in the Neurosurgical Workforce in Saudi Arabia

“…Neurological disorders are a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years and an important cause of death worldwide [3]. Neurosurgeons play a vital part in supporting the global health agenda [2][3].…”

“…Neurological disorders are a leading cause of disability-adjusted life years and an important cause of death worldwide [3]. Neurosurgeons play a vital part in supporting the global health agenda [2][3]. We calculated the mean density of neurosurgeons in KSA to be 7.5 neurosurgeons per million population.…”

“…They provide expertise in treating cases that require surgical intervention for diseases such as central nervous tumor, hydrocephalus and neural tube defects and in managing patients that require surgical consultation for disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and degenerative spine disease [2]. A sufficient neurosurgical workforce that can meet the growing burden of neurological diseases is, therefore, an integral part of any quality healthcare system [3].…”

“…The median (range) number of neurosurgical centers per region was 21(6-26). The regional median (range) number of neurosurgeons per neurosurgical center was 2.3(2)(3)(4). The median (range) population per region was 4.9 (3.91-9.98) million.…”

Evaluating the impact of neurosurgical rotation experience in Africa on the interest and perception of medical students towards a career in neurosurgery: a protocol for a continental, cross-sectional study

“…Africa has the second highest neurosurgical workforce deficit reported globally [ 2 ], despite recent advancements in increasing the number of training centers and increased collaboration with international neurosurgical foundations and neurosurgery departments from developed countries [ 4 ]. The deficit is attributed to the small ratio of neurosurgeons per capita, and the difficulty in accessing neurosurgical care within the optimal time frame [ 5 ]. This deficit has impacted surgical capacity negatively, with an estimated 1 877 568 surgical case deficit annually [ 2 ].…”