At a pivotal side event during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, non-governmental organizations Mercy Ships and Operation Smile marked ten years of leadership in advancing equitable surgical care. The gathering brought together health ministers, global leaders, and experts to celebrate progress—and confront the urgent gaps that remain in delivering safe, affordable surgical care for all.
Despite increasing political commitments, 5 billion people still lack access to safe, affordable surgical care, according to The Lancet’s Global Surgery 2030 report. This stark reality set the tone for the event, where leaders acknowledged that while awareness is rising, implementation remains alarmingly slow.
“We now know that 5 billion people lack access to surgery. But operationally, we are far behind,” said Dr. Neema Kaseje, a pediatric humanitarian surgeon working in Kakuma Refugee Camp. “Access alone isn’t enough. Poor-quality surgical services can worsen outcomes. We need to ensure access to high-quality care, especially in fragile and rural contexts.”
Dr. Barnabas Alayande, General Surgeon and faculty at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, highlighted the urgent need for innovation in training and retaining surgical professionals.
“Even after training 2,500 surgeons since 2015, surgical workforce density has barely increased—just 0.06 per 100,000. At this pace, it could take 300 years to meet global demand,” he warned. “We must rethink who we train, where, and how—through solutions like telementoring, hub-and-spoke models, and place-based education.”
Ghana’s Model: From Commitment to Action
One of the most promising examples came from Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ghana’s Minister of Health, who announced the September 2024 launch of Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP). He framed equitable access to surgery not just as a health issue, but a matter of justice.
“In less than a year, Ghana assessed over 100 surgical facilities, trained more than 300 providers, and incorporated surgical indicators into our national health information system,” he said. “We’re also introducing a 20% salary incentive for rural health workers to boost retention.”
While Ghana moves ahead, many countries remain stagnant. Dr. Emmanuel Makasa, orthopedic surgeon and long-time surgical care advocate, stressed that political will must translate into integrated, system-wide solutions—not isolated programs.
“We need regional collaboration to produce surgical essentials like sutures, IV fluids, and blades. Sustainability comes not from rhetoric, but from action and innovation that strengthens the entire health system.”
From Metrics to Transformation
Several speakers emphasized that the data-driven foundation laid over the past decade must now fuel transformation.
“We now have clarity about the challenges,” said Dr. Caroline Haylok-Loor, President-elect of the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists. “Evidence and metrics gave us direction. Now we need to act on it.”
Dr. Teri Reynolds, who leads Clinical Services at the World Health Organization, noted how the global surgery movement has empowered a new generation of health professionals—creating pathways to careers they may never have otherwise had.
Throughout the evening, partnership was highlighted as the key driver of global surgery progress.
“Governments can’t do it alone,” said Dr. Ayala, calling for multisectoral collaboration. “NGOs, foundations, and private sector actors must work together—turning cooperation into lasting impact.”
Marina Anselme, Secretary General of the MSC Foundation, described the industry’s role: “We support Mercy Ships and Operation Smile by transporting medical items and co-financing a new hospital ship, covering 50% of its cost over three years.”
Closing the evening, Dr. Walt Johnson, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Mercy Ships, reminded the audience that partnership remains at the heart of global development goals.
“Remember, SDG 17 is about partnerships. Every one of you—from member states to regional offices—is a partner. That’s how we’ll cross the finish line for global surgery.”
