Training and practice of pediatric surgery in Africa: past, present, and future
Essam A Elhalaby1, Francis A Uba, Eric S Borgstein
1Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta University Hospital, Tanta, Egypt. essam.elhalaby@med.tanta.edu.eg
Insights
Pediatric surgery in Africa has evolved significantly but faces persistent challenges like limited resources and workforce shortages. Addressing these issues is crucial for equitable access to essential surgical care for African children.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Surgical Specialties
- African Healthcare Systems
Background:
- Pediatric surgery in Africa has a history dating back to the 1920s, with development varying across the continent.
- Despite progress, significant obstacles hinder the delivery of pediatric surgical services in Africa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the historical evolution of pediatric surgery in Africa.
- To identify current challenges in pediatric surgical practice and service delivery.
- To advocate for standardized training and enhanced collaboration to improve pediatric surgical care.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of pediatric surgery development in Africa.
- Identification and discussion of prevalent challenges in the field.
- Review of proposed solutions including training standardization and international collaboration.
Main Results:
- Pediatric surgery in Africa has progressed through four distinct phases since the 1920s.
- Key challenges include limited facilities, workforce shortages, disease patterns, late presentations, and inadequate support.
- Training standardization and collaboration are identified as essential for progress.
Conclusions:
- Urgent attention is required to overcome the barriers in pediatric surgical care delivery in Africa.
- Equitable access to pediatric surgical services for African children necessitates immediate and concerted action.
- Strengthening training programs and fostering partnerships are vital for advancing the specialty.
Abstract:
The evolution and recognition of pediatric surgery as a specialty in Africa can be divided into 4 distinct phases, starting from early 1920s till the present. The pace of development has been quite variable in different parts of Africa. Despite all recent developments, the practice of pediatric surgery in Africa continues to face multiple challenges, including limited facilities, manpower shortages, the large number of sick children, disease patterns specific to the region, late presentation and advanced pathology, lack of pediatric surgeons outside the tertiary hospitals, and inadequate governmental support. Standardization of pediatric surgery training across the continent is advocated. Collaboration with well-established pediatric surgical training centers in Africa and other developed countries is necessary. The problems of delivery of pediatric surgical services need to be addressed urgently, if the African child is to have access to essential pediatric surgical services like his or her counterpart in the high-income parts of the world.
