Global Surgery, COVID-19, and Pandemic Preparedness

Health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often lack the space (operating theaters and hospital rooms), the staff (surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses), and the stuff (ventilators, beds, personal protective equipment and medical supplies) necessary to meet the medical and surgical needs of their population. When the pandemic surges hit, thousands can die from not being able to receive medical care as critical resources like oxygen and ventilators ran out.

When hospitals in high-income countries faced surges of patients arriving in their emergency rooms, they had a relief valve. By repurposing existing surgical capacity, they immediately gained up to 30 percent of additional treatment capacity. (SOURCE)