Africa could face a shortage of 6 million surgical care providers by 2030, leaving millions without access to life-saving procedures, a meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda warned.
The conference, themed “Building Resilient and Sustainable Surgical Services in Africa: A Surgeon in Every District Hospital” brought together surgeons, policy experts, researchers, and other key stakeholders globally to address Africa’s critical shortage of surgical professionals.
“Millions of people lack access to life-saving surgical care – a basic human right,” said Professor Faustin Ntirenganya, a senior consultant general and onco-plastic surgeon at the University of Rwanda and co-chair of the conference. “This conference was not just about discussions, it’s a call to action for a shared vision of access to quality healthcare. If we foster collaboration, equip local providers, and invest in innovation, we can create a future where no patient is left behind and reshape the future of surgical care in Africa and beyond.”
Key discussions were centred on innovative solutions in healthcare infrastructure, policy advocacy for surgical access and strategies for enhancing surgical training and research in Africa. Keynote speakers included Dr. Hanna Getachew (Consultant General and Paediatric Surgeon), Dr. Peter Nthumba (Head and Program Director of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery at the AIC Kijabe Hospital) and Prof. Kathryn Chu (Director of the Centre of Global Surgery), among others.
The Conference organized by Operation Smile, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, The University of Rwanda, and the Rwanda Surgical Society brought together surgical community to align on strategies that will create lasting impact.