Global Neurosurgery: The Unmet Need

Abstract Globally, the lack of access to basic surgical care causes three times as much deaths as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria combined. The magnitude of this unmet need has been recently described, and the numbers are startling. Major shifts in global health agenda has highlighted access to essential and emergency surgery as high priority. A broad examination of the current global neurosurgical efforts to improve access has revealed some strengths particularly in the realm of training. However, the demand grossly outstrips the supply; most people in low income countries do not have access to basic surgical care– either due to lack of availability or affordability. Projects that help create a robust and resilient health system within LMICs require urgent implementation. In this context, concurrent scale-up of manpower, investments in capacity building, local data collection, and analysis for accurate assessment are essential. Additionally, through process of collaboration and consensus building within the neurosurgical community, a unified voice of neurosurgery is necessary to effectively advocate for all those who need neurosurgical care wherever, whenever.