Publication Date
1-1-2024
Journal
Frontiers in Public Health
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2024.1325922
PMID
38450144
PMCID
PMC10915281
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
2-21-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Anesthesia, Asia, Southern, Asian People, Health Planning, global surgery, SOTA care, South Asia, priorities, health planning, LMICs
Abstract
South Asia is a demographically crucial, economically aspiring, and socio-culturally diverse region in the world. The region contributes to a large burden of surgically-treatable disease conditions. A large number of people in South Asia cannot access safe and affordable surgical, obstetric, trauma, and anesthesia (SOTA) care when in need. Yet, attention to the region in Global Surgery and Global Health is limited. Here, we assess the status of SOTA care in South Asia. We summarize the evidence on SOTA care indicators and planning. Region-wide, as well as country-specific challenges are highlighted. We also discuss potential directions-initiatives and innovations-toward addressing these challenges. Local partnerships, sustained research and advocacy efforts, and politics can be aligned with evidence-based policymaking and health planning to achieve equitable SOTA care access in the South Asian region under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
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