Essential surgery: key messages from Disease Control Priorities, 3rd edition

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Interventions
• Health Economics

Background:

• The World Bank's Disease Control Priorities, 3rd edition, Volume 1 focuses on essential surgery.
• Identifies 44 essential surgical procedures based on need, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility.
• Assesses key findings regarding surgical care in low- and middle-income countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically assess the key findings of the Essential Surgery volume.
• To highlight the impact and cost-effectiveness of essential surgical procedures.
• To inform policy on expanding surgical access and achieving universal health coverage.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the Disease Control Priorities, 3rd edition, Volume 1.
• Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of essential surgical interventions.
• Review of strategies for expanding surgical access and improving safety.

Main Results:

• Essential surgery could avert 1.5 million deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries.
• Surgical procedures are among the most cost-effective health interventions.
• Task sharing and safety measures like the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist improve access and outcomes.
• Expanding access to first-level hospital surgery requires geographic diffusion and workforce investment.

Conclusions:

• Essential surgery is vital for averting deaths and improving health outcomes.
• Investment in surgical platforms is highly cost-effective and essential for universal health coverage.
• Addressing disparities in surgical safety and access is critical for equitable healthcare.