Advocating for Universal Access to Surgical Care

Global Development Group’s J900N Surgicalife Project seeks to provide networking, expertise and practical solutions towards the realisation of the global campaign to provide ‘universal access to safe and affordable surgical and anaesthesia care by 2030’ in some of the poorest parts of the world.

This is achieved through several key initiatives, including surgical training and intensive examination preparations, examining tasks, advocacy and networking at international forums, events and specialist conferences, coordination of high-level international committees and capacity building at various levels.

As part of the project’s advocacy initiative, Dr Neil & Gwen Wetzig attended the June 2022 G4 Alliance meeting in Geneva, along with side events to the World Health Assembly. This was to advocate for safe, affordable and timely access to Surgery, Obstetrics, Trauma and Anaesthesia Care, in low and middle-income countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They also had the opportunity to meet Professor Paul Kelly (Australia’s Chief Health Officer) while participating in the Walk the Talk: Health for all Challenge, and to discuss the project in DRC

 2022 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• 19 International Surgical advocacy meetings.
• Facilitation and support to HEAL Africa COSECSA (College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa) Essential and Emergency Surgery Training program participants.
• Examiner for COSECSA program.
• Permanent Council Member of the G4 Alliance for Surgery, Obstetrics, Trauma and Anaesthesia. (SOTA), advocating for improvement in SOTA care for 80% of the world’s population by 2030, as well as involvement and chairing various committees.
• Advocacy for an essential short course in Basic Surgery, Obstetrics, Trauma and Anaesthesia Care to prevent injuries from poorly performed surgery.