At the Brain Economy Summit in New York, held ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly, G4 Alliance Board Chairman Gail Rosseau, MD, FAANS, FACS, spoke about why access to surgery remains one of global health’s most neglected priorities. She also discussed what it will take to change that.
Two-thirds of the world’s population lacks access to safe, affordable surgical care. As Dr. Rosseau explains, surgery has lagged behind other areas of global health because it is seen as costly and complex. Even countries that invest in medical care often fail to invest in surgical care.
She traces the history of the global surgery movement. It began when surgery was described as “the neglected stepchild of public health.” It led to the 2015 Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, and then to the unanimous World Health Assembly resolution on strengthening emergency and essential surgery and anaesthesia.
“Our goal is very simply stated: we want to bring access to quality, affordable, safe surgical care to everybody who needs it.”
The G4 Alliance brings together nearly 80 organisations advocating for surgical, obstetric, trauma and anaesthesia (SOTA) care. Its message to world leaders is that surgical care is an investment, not just a cost, and an essential part of universal health coverage.