Paediatric anaesthesia care in Africa : challenges and opportunities

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Authors

Gray, R.M.
Cronje, L.
Kalipa, Mandisa N.
Lee, C.A.
Evans, F.M.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Medpharm Publications

Abstract

In 2015, the World Health Organization and member states recognised surgery and anaesthesia care as a component of universal health coverage, yet 1.7 billion children and adolescents continue to lack access to safe surgical care. An overwhelming proportion of these children are from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Africa, where almost 50% of the population is under the age of 15, children are disproportionately affected. Without sustained global efforts, these inequities and injustices will persist. Findings from previous studies suggest a 10–100 times increase in paediatric perioperative mortality in children in LMICs as compared to high-income countries (HICs). While pieces of the puzzle may be missing, it is clear that not only is access a problem, but also the safety and quality of the perioperative care provided is of concern.

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Keywords

Surgical care, Children, Africa, World Health Organization (WHO), Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), High-income countries (HICs)

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Gray, R.M., Cronje, L., Kalipa, M.N. et al. 2022, 'Paediatric anaesthesia care in Africa : challenges and opportunities', Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 4-6, doi : 10.36303/SAJAA.2022.28.1.2767.