Surgery>>>>>Global Surgery
Question 7#

You are planning to work abroad but a colleague mentions that "surgery is too expensive" in LMICs and you should focus on providing mosquito netting instead. You disagree, which of the following answers could help you support your case.

A. Surgical treatment is often primary prevention for additional disease ( eg, Cesarean sections help prevent obstetrical fistulae)
B. A number of studies demonstrate that surgical care is below the $100/DALY threshold set by the World Bank for cost -effective care
C. District hospital level surgical service can be provide for $ 1 1-33/DALY averted
D. All of the above

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

A common question raised to proponents of surgical care in LMICs is one of cost. A number of independent studies as well as work by the World Bank and WHO show that, while nothing is free, the burden of surgical disease is so huge in LMICs and the surgical need so high that even relatively cost -effective interventions can cost -effectively reduce the burden of human disease. Compared to other public health initiates, developing basic and emergency surgical care at a district hospital level is as cost-effective, or even more so, than typical health programs such as HIV-AIDS treatment or measles immunization! Surgeons truly are the front line of global public health.