Ten Global Surgical Care Statements for Children: examining our commitment to the future

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Pediatric Surgery
• Surgical Care Access

Background:

• Childhood surgical conditions cause one-third of pediatric deaths globally.
• Nine out of ten children in low- and middle-income countries lack basic surgical care.
• Limited access to essential pediatric surgery constitutes a global health crisis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review ten commitment statements from global pediatric surgical organizations.
• To identify overarching principles addressing gaps in global pediatric surgical care.
• To advocate for childhood surgical disease as a global health priority.

Main Methods:

• Literature review to substantiate commitment statements.
• Analysis of ten ratified commitment statements from pediatric surgical organizations.
• Examination of principles aimed at improving global surgical care for children.

Main Results:

• Commitment statements recognize childhood surgical disease as a global health priority.
• Advocacy for accessible, safe surgical and anesthetic care for children.
• Calls for capacity building in education, data, workforce, research, and collaborations.

Conclusions:

• Hope for widespread approval of guiding principles for pediatric surgical care.
• Statements serve as a call to action for resources and funding.
• Mitigating global pediatric surgical disparities requires continued advocacy and investment.