Challenges of training and delivery of pediatric surgical services in developing economies: a perspective from Pakistan

BMC Pediatrics

Muhammad Hassaan Arif Maan¹  Muhammad Soban²  Amir Humza Sohail³  Mohammed Sachal⁴ 

[1] 0000 0001 0633 6224, grid.7147.5, Medical College, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi, Pakistan;0000 0001 0633 6224, grid.7147.5, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan;0000 0004 0427 2775, grid.411399.7, Department of Surgery, Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA;0000 0004 0608 7688, grid.412129.d, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan;

关键词: Pediatric surgery;    Pediatric workforce;    Specialized surgical care;    Low- and middle-income countries;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-019-1512-9

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAs the pediatric population requiring health services rises globally, developing countries are struggling to cater to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases - particularly those requiring specialized surgical care.Main bodyDespite the literature supporting specialized pediatric surgical care, the developing world is far from meeting the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) Manpower taskforce recommendation of at least 1 qualified pediatric surgeon per 100,000 patients (0–15 years-old). In Pakistan, there is an unmet surgical need in the pediatric population due to a multitude of short shortcomings, notably in quality and quantity of the training programs on offer, and urgent short- and long-term steps are needed to improve this dire situation.ConclusionIt is crucial for the global surgical community to take steps, especially with regards to pediatric surgical training, to ensure delivery of accessible and quality surgical care to the world’s children.

【 授权许可】

CC BY