Access to Orthopaedic Devices in Low and Middle-Income Countries: Challenges and Opportunities

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic surgery
• Global health equity
• Medical device accessibility

Background:

• Musculoskeletal injuries are a major global health burden, disproportionately affecting low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Limited access to essential orthopaedic devices in LMICs hinders effective treatment and patient outcomes.
• Existing procurement policies often result in inconsistent supply chains, delaying care and necessitating suboptimal management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key strategies for improving system-level access to orthopaedic devices in LMICs.
• To highlight the need for a multifaceted approach involving policy, partnerships, and local capacity building.
• To advocate for research initiatives that provide evidence-based solutions tailored to the LMIC context.

Main Methods:

• This study synthesizes current challenges and proposes solutions based on policy analysis and global health perspectives.
• It reviews existing literature on medical device procurement and supply chain management in resource-limited settings.
• The approach emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts and sustainable local manufacturing.

Main Results:

• Inconsistent supply chains and high costs are significant barriers to orthopaedic device access in LMICs.
• Partnerships between governments, academia, and NGOs are crucial for funding and regulatory oversight.
• Local and regional manufacturing, coupled with job creation, is essential for sustainable device availability.

Conclusions:

• A collaborative, multi-pronged strategy is required to enhance access to orthopaedic devices globally.
• Strengthening local manufacturing and implementing evidence-based research are vital for long-term solutions.
• Improved access to orthopaedic devices can significantly reduce the burden of musculoskeletal injuries in LMICs.