Healthcare Leaders Develop Strategies for Expanding National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plans in WHO AFRO and EMRO Regions

Abstract

Background Worldwide, five billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia (SOA) care when needed. In many countries, a growing commitment to SOA care is culminating in the development of national surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia plans (NSOAPs) that are fully embedded in the National Health Strategic Plan. This manuscript highlights the content and outputs from a World Health Organization (WHO) lead workshop that supported country‐led plans for improving SOA care as a component of health system strengthening. Methods In March 2018, a group of 79 high‐level global SOA stakeholders from 25 countries in the WHO AFRO and EMRO regions gathered in Dubai to provide technical and strategic guidance for the creation and expansion of NSOAPs. Results Drawing on the experience and expertise of represented countries that are at different stages of the NSOAP process, topics covered included (1) the global burden of surgical, obstetric, and anaesthetic conditions; (2) the key principles and components of NSOAP development; (3) the critical evaluation and feasibility of different models of NSOAP implementation; and (4) innovative financing mechanisms to fund NSOAPs. Conclusions Lessons learned include: (1) there is unmet need for the establishment of an NSOAP community in order to provide technical support, expertise, and mentorship at a regional level; (2) data should be used to inform future priorities, for monitoring and evaluation and to showcase advances in care following NSOAP implementation; and (3) SOA health system strengthening must be uniquely prioritized and not hidden within other health strategies.

Global surgery and the World Health Organization: indispensable partners to achieve triple billion goals

“…As a result, SOA care has amassed the attention of national policymakers intent on strengthening health systems, thus catalyzing the development of National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plans (NSOAPs). 5 In three years, five NSOAPs have been signed and launched, and over twenty countries have committed to initiating similar processes. 5,6 The growing demand for NSOAPs by member states implicitly acknowledges that many health systems provide inadequate SOA care.…”

“…5 In three years, five NSOAPs have been signed and launched, and over twenty countries have committed to initiating similar processes. 5,6 The growing demand for NSOAPs by member states implicitly acknowledges that many health systems provide inadequate SOA care.…”

Impact of High-Risk Fertility Behaviour on Under-five Mortality in Asia and Africa: Evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys

“…Higher child mortality among children of higher birth order is also explained by the fact that children with higher birth order have more limited access to healthcare than early-born children [80]. But it is also true that health services in most of the developing countries have been expanding over time [81], making access to healthcare facilities for children of higher birth order easier. This may also explain the smaller odds of child mortality for high parity births.…”

Perspectives on progress in global surgery

“…To date, in partnership with Harvard Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, two workshops have been held that highlight the African, Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. 14,15 Two further workshops are planned: one in Latin America and one in Francophone West Africa. A reference book on NSOAP development is in preparation with plans to translate into Spanish and French.…”