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Emphasizing the role of cardiothoracic surgeons within the global health context: a call to action
Achanga Bill Smith Anyinkeng1,2, Abdullah K Alassiri2,3, Jonas L Ibekwe2,4
1Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Insights
Cardiovascular thoracic diseases cause significant global disability and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Strengthening cardiothoracic surgical care and training surgeons in LMICs is crucial for global health.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Surgical Care
- Cardiovascular Diseases
Background:
- Cardiovascular thoracic diseases are a leading cause of global disability and mortality, with 17 million deaths annually.
- Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate burden, facing critical shortages of cardiac surgeons and limited access to cardiac surgery.
- This highlights a significant global health concern requiring immediate attention and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the global burden of cardiothoracic surgical diseases.
- To assess the current state of cardiothoracic surgical care worldwide.
- To emphasize the benefits of establishing robust cardiothoracic surgical capabilities within global health systems.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar.
- Key aspects examined were the global impact of cardiothoracic diseases and existing surgical care capacities.
Main Results:
- Cardiothoracic diseases represent a substantial component of the global disease burden.
- Effective cardiothoracic care is interconnected with over 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
- Cardiothoracic surgeons play a vital role in global health system initiatives.
Conclusions:
- Policymakers and global health organizations should increase the integration of cardiothoracic surgeons in global health dialogues and systems.
- Cardiothoracic surgical care must be integrated and enforced within the global surgery movement.
- Promoting the training and education of cardiothoracic surgeons in LMICs, with a focus on global public health, is essential for strengthening national surgical systems.
Introduction:
Worldwide, cardiovascular thoracic diseases (ischemic heart diseases) are the second most common global cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs. Globally, 17 million lives are lost annually, and 80% occur in LMICs as a result of CVD, and 75% of the world lacks access to cardiac surgery with some regions (Sub-Saharan Africa) having 0.07 pediatric cardiac surgeons and 0.12 adult cardiac surgeons per million population. This is a global cause for concern and needs immediate attention.
Method:
Through literature review, we elaborate on key points such as the global burden of cardiothoracic surgical diseases, the current status of cardiothoracic surgical care around the world, and the inherent benefits of building a strong cardiothoracic surgical care capability for health systems globally. Search engines used were: PUBMED, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Google Scholar.
Results:
Cardiothoracic diseases make up an important part of the global health burden of diseases as cardiothoracic care can be linked to over 15 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, giving the tremendous part played by cardiothoracic surgeons in the Health System Surgical Initiatives.
Conclusion:
We, therefore, recommend policymakers and global health actors: increase the involvement of cardiothoracic surgeons within the global health systems and dialogues; integrate and enforce cardiothoracic surgical care within the global surgery movement; and most importantly promote the training and education of cardiothoracic surgeons in LMICs in the field of global public health and as well involve cardiothoracic surgeons in the national surgical system strengthening process.
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