Challenges to Global Access to Anesthesia and Surgical Care

Abstract

In 2015, resolution WHA 68.15, Strengthening Emergency and Essential Surgical Care and Anaesthesia as a Component of Universal Health Coverage, was adopted at the 68th World Health Assembly. This resolution highlighted the need for surgical procedures for conditions, including obstructed labor, birth defects, cataracts, cancer, diabetes, acute abdominal conditions, and injuries. Of the 315 million surgical procedures performed each year, only 6.5% are performed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Additional support provided in the resolution, one quarter of the 289,000 maternal deaths could be prevented with access to surgical and anesthesia care. Barriers to anesthesia and surgical care include lack of infrastructure, work force, equipment, supplies, information management and financing. Anesthesia work force density, as reported by the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiology, is lowest in countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, <5/100,000. Many in global health have acknowledged that increasing the number of nurse anesthetists will improve access to anesthesia and surgical care and save lives.