The “Other” Neglected Diseases in Global Public Health: Surgical Conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

urrently in sub-Saharan Africa, most patients with surgical problems that are routinely treatable in highincome countries never reach a health facility, or are treated at a facility with inadequate human or physical resources. These conditions lead to premature death or physical disability with a significant economic burden. Meanwhile, the last decade has seen the emergence of numerous "neglected tropical disease" (NTD) initiatives in global public health. As surgeons working with clinicians in sub-Saharan Africa, the momentum for NTDs causes us to ask: Shouldn't surgical conditions also be considered "neglected"?