A high-level panel discussion at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) reaffirmed the imperative for collaboration to address critical gaps in surgical care and education around the world.
Side event on May 30thNumber He stressed the synergy between surgeons, policy makers, NGOs, academia and the private sector.Number The theme of the rally was “For Healthy People, For Healthy People.”
The international charity Mercy Ships and the NGO Operation Smile co-organized a side event during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The event, entitled “Growing synergies between NGOs, multilateral organisations and academic institutions to benefit surgical patients”, took place on May 30th at the Hotel Beau Rivage.
A side event panel discussion, which included speakers from universities and teaching hospitals in Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa and Peru, discussed how more than 100 million additional surgical procedures are needed each year to save lives and prevent disabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Dr. Mark Schlaim, International Chief Medical Officer of Mercy Ships, opened the panel by explaining that NGOs, multinational organizations and academics have an obligation to break down the barriers between each other on behalf of neglected surgical patients around the world.
“By working with government departments, we will be able to find ways to provide timely and high-quality surgical care to residents in and outside the region,” said Dr. Wiesława de Pawlikowski, head of international cooperation and pediatric reconstructive microsurgery at the Ministry of Health in Lima, Peru.
“We’ve been talking about systemic surgery for quite some time now… I think we should stop talking about it and actually start doing it,” said Dr. Fastin Ntilengya, president of the Rwanda Surgical Society and consultant in general, oncoplastic and breast surgery at Kigali University Teaching Hospital in Rwanda.
Representatives from each country spoke of severe disparities in equitable access and quality of health care and the limited progress made to date. Dr. Ruben Ayala, Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer of Operation Smile, moderated the panel, which was a groundbreaking partner event for both NGOs.
Dr Teri Reynolds, head of clinical services and systems at WHO, highlighted that the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery has called for action for 10 years to help those in need, but said it is now much more difficult than it was before 2020.
“We came out of the pandemic with surgical delays that we will never overcome in our lifetimes unless we do things completely differently,” she said, adding that the pandemic has exacerbated the global challenge of tackling surgical shortages by changing how we think about how to protect ourselves from the next wave of infection.
On 29 May, WHA leaders at the Assembly decided to develop a new Global Strategy and Action Plan for Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operational Care (ECO) from 2026 to 2035. Dr Reynolds said this was a major step forward, but more work was needed to build on this success.
Dr Salome Maswime, an obstetrician-gynaecologist and head of the international department of surgery at the University of Cape Town, highlighted the importance of investing in education and mentoring public health professionals and decision makers to understand surgical systems, and teaching surgical leadership and health systems leadership to all those working in the health system and to policy makers.
Dr. Maswim said, “We have to educate not only surgeons, but public health professionals. But I think the biggest thing is leadership. You can’t outsource leadership. You can’t donate leadership. You can’t do leadership for other countries. You can donate equipment. You can do the surgeries, the operations, but you can’t outsource leadership. And our leaders are often not trained or equipped to run a health system.”
“Our leaders have studied anatomy, physiology, pathology and so much more, and we expect them to solve the country’s problems.”
She said in their classes politicians learn about surgery and leadership.
She added: “And we feel like that’s how we can start to change the next generation, change the way people think and work, and give them the ability to make better decisions for the future.”
“There is a gap between political commitment and the realisation of that commitment to patients,” said Dr Emmanuel Makassa, executive director of the Wits SADC Surgical Regional Collaborating Centre (WitSSurg), a major initiative aimed at improving surgical care within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He said he believes policy is the only way to make the change inspiring for patients.
“If any one of us tries to cross the finish line alone, we will fail,” said Dr. Walt Johnson, Mercy Ships’ manager of domestic and international aid. “But if we all work together, we have an incredible synergy that will get us across the finish line, maybe not in our lifetime, but someday.”
Watch the discussion at the 77th World Health Organization (WHA) side event co-hosted by Mercy Ships and Operation Smile – YouTubehttps://apo-opa.co/4aSD1OX)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.
For more information about Mercy Ships, please contact:
Sophie Barnett
Public Relations Manager, Mercy Ships International
[email protected]
For more information about Operation Smile, please contact:
Pedro Mucciolo
Senior Director of Global Communications, Operation Smile
[email protected]
About Mercy Ships:
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that provide free surgery and other medical services to people with little access to safe health care. The international faith-based organization has specialized in partnering with African countries for the past 30 years. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships provides training to local medical professionals and helps build the country’s health infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.
Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries travel to the United States on board the two largest non-governmental hospital ships in the world. Africa Mercy® and Global Mercy™. Surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, engineers and other professionals dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anesthesia care. Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has offices in 16 countries and an African Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, www.MercyShips.org And follow Mercy Ship On social media.
About Operation Smile:
Operation Smile is a global nonprofit organization that fills gaps in access to essential surgical and medical care, including cleft surgery and comprehensive care. Through its dedicated staff, medical and student volunteers around the world, Operation Smile partners with local governments, nonprofits and health systems to provide medical expertise, training, research and care.
