In reply: Encouraging a bare minimum while striving for the gold standard: a response to the updated WHO-WFSA guidelines

In Reply: Comment on “Encouraging a bare minimum while striving for the gold standard: a response to the updated WHO-WFSA guidelines”

“…It does nothing to produce the ''staff, stuff, space, and systems'' 8 needed to meet the goals of Global Surgery 2030. 8,9 In the meantime, the lack of funding will have far more impact than any aspirational activities. As stated in our letter ''guidelines such as those implied by the WHO-WFSA document are essential, but, on the other hand, practical and evidence-based stepping stones must also be offered to support those who cannot yet reach this ideal.…”

“…4 We do not believe, as suggested by Dr. Gelb, that it is responsible to recommend that ''only emergency surgery be provided until all the highly recommended guidelines be met.'' 9 We suggest instead a bare minimum, with planned scale-up to the highly recommended guidelines, so that a hernia can be repaired before becoming incarcerated, and an elective Cesarean Delivery can be performed before it becomes an emergency, at which point the life of the mother or baby or both are already at risk. 10 We acknowledge the inclusive process of an NSOAP and applaud this effort.…”