The Neglect of the Global Surgical Workforce: Experience and Evidence from Uganda

Abstract
Africa’s health workforce crisis has recently been emphasized by major international organizations. As a part of this discussion, it has become apparent that the workforce required to deliver surgical services has been significantly neglected. Methods This paper reviews some of the reasons for this relative neglect and emphasizes its importance to health systems and public health. We report the first comprehensive analysis of the surgical workforce in Uganda, identify challenges to workforce development, and evaluate current programs addressing these challenges. This was performed through a literature review, analysis of existing policies to improve surgical access, and pilot retrospective studies of surgical output and workforce in nine rural hospitals.
Description
Keywords
Surgical Workforce, Uganda, Neglect
Citation
Ozgediz, D., Galukande, M., Mabweijano, J., Kijjambu, S., Mijumbi, C., Dubowitz, G., ... & Luboga, S. (2008). The neglect of the global surgical workforce: experience and evidence from Uganda. World journal of surgery, 32(6), 1208-1215.doi. 10.1007/s00268-008-9473-4