Mobile Surgical Teams Can Help Reduce the Surgical Burden of Disease in Low Income Countries

Alvear, D. T.

Introduction: 11% of the global burden of disease is attributable to surgical conditions hence more than 2 billion people have no access to surgery care. In effect there are many neglected cases in low income countries that will never achieve a normal life. The World Surgical Foundation (WSF) was formed in 1997 to help reduce the surgical burden of disease and the WSF Philippines was established in 2018 to provide surgical outreach to all regions of the Philippines who currently has 108 million population with 30% under poverty level. There is insufficient and inequitable distribution of public health resources and surgical manpower in the rural areas. Mobile Surgical Teams are formed that can provide quality multi specialty surgical services to many areas in the Philippines. Methods: This Surgical Outreach Program comprise of General Surgeons, Pediatric Surgeons, ENT Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, Pediatricians, Internist and Pathologists and OR Nurses. Equipments brought to the missions include: Portable Anesthesia Machines, Electrosurgical Units, Monitors, Harmonic Scalpel, Surgical Instruments and Cryostat. Sterile supplies and medications are provided. The services are free. Follow up care will be done by the local surgeon. Initially, 2 missions per year are performed but it has increased to 10 per year prior to the Covid Pandemic. Results: The average surgical cases done per mission in 100 to 140 both children and adults. No mortality and minor complications. Conclusion: Mobile Surgical Teams can help reduce the surgical burden of disease in low income countries and can be duplicated in other countries.