Increasing Surgical Capacity

For most Africans, basic clinical care is simply not available.

By clinical care, we mean what most people in developed countries would consider basic medical care available at a community hospital: intravenous antibiotics and oxygen for severe pneumonia; insulin for diabetes; a C-section for a complicated pregnancy; orthopedic surgery following a car accident; and many other routine medical conditions. Africa only performs 5% of the needed surgeries and requires 30 times as many surgical health workers at it currently has.

Only 20% of African health facilities can deliver oxygen therapy. Less than half of African women who need a C-section get one. Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability but access to intensive care and orthopedic surgery is limited to a few centers in each country.