The Minister for Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, has called for an improvement in surgical care in Africa. She was speaking at the World Health Assembly, held in Geneva last week.

The assembly was attended by representatives from over 100 countries. This is the meeting’s 67th session and it ran under the theme: ‘Climate change and health’.

In a panel on essential surgical care and anesthesia, Binagwaho highlighted the shortage of surgeons in Africa and the need for change.

"There are fewer surgeons in the whole of Africa than in the United States,” she explained, adding that this global surgery discussion comes about 30 years late.

"Globally, 234 million surgical operations are performed daily, but the poorest of third-world countries receive only 3.5 per cent of all surgical operations,” she said.

Binagwaho noted that 95 per cent of anesthesia departments around the world have inadequate equipment for children.

She suggested an integrated solution that would include better services in all aspects of surgery, including blood banks, laboratories, electricity, post-operative care, and the drug supply chain.

She also said continuous training programmes are key to supporting quality care and increasing the capacity for patients.

Binagwaho highlighted the need for an integrated, comprehensive system that creates a working plan between different ministries and governments.

"Today, our countries have what it takes to include surgical care and anesthesia in our national plan,” she said, calling on other countries to action.

Although Rwanda also faces  shortage of surgeons, the government has taken steps to improve surgical care.

In 2011, the Ministry of Health formed the Strengthening Rwanda Surgery Advisory group, which organises surgery workshops and trainings for surgeons.

Rwanda has also integrated some ICT solutions. Currently, more than 40 hospitals in the country have broadband in order to support surgical providers.

Dr Chris Baggoley, the chief executive for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality Healthcare, in his presentation agreed with Binagwaho, stating that safe surgery and anaesthesia should be seen as a basic human right.

Baggoley said 25 per cent of pregnancies require surgical intervention or anaesthesia to prevent death and disability.

"It’s still a misconception that surgery is a luxury. It is not a luxury, it is essential,” explained Baggoely.