In the surge towards achieving universal health care, Kenyan and Phillipines Ministries of Health want neglect of healthcare access for surgical diseases to be eradicated.
The commitment was made during a global private public partnership forum held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland on May 23.
Discussions were made at the World Health Assembly with the two health ministries, other nations along with private health organisation partners.
The partners included Smile Train, KidsOR, the Henry Family Advised Fund, COSECSA, the G4 Alliance, and West African College of Surgeons.
Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Health of Kenya Sicily Kariuki said, “I take this opportunity to request all countries gathered here today and those you will reach out to later to commit towards a Global Partnership for Actions to Prevent and Eliminate Neglected Surgical Diseases.”
Philippines, represented by Dr. Mario C. Villaverde, Undersecretary of Health of the Health Policy Systems Development, Department of Health of the Philippines, also said they shared the same commitment.
“We take this opportunity to join hands with our brothers and sisters in Kenya,” he said.
Mexico, as well as additional statements of support for access to essential surgery and anesthesia care were made by representatives from Taiwan and The Gambia.
[Read: Girls in Kajiado schools benefit from free sanitary towels]
Safe, affordable, and timely surgical and anesthesia care remains out of reach for approximately more than 5 billion people around the world.
Most of those affected by the lack of access to surgical and anesthesia care are those living in low and middle-income countries, and to particularly women and children.
Some of ailments requiring surgical care include untreated cleft lip and palate and clubfoot, obstetric fistula, cataracts, hernia, and neglected trauma such as fractures and burns.
The prospect of universal healthcare could thus be a solution, if access to surgical and anesthesia care is guaranteed.
Civil society representatives that also joined the nations’ commitment included the Global Clubfoot Initiative, Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery (GICS), COSECSA, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), UNFPA, and Smile Train.
“Smile Train is committed to significant future investments in health systems … to ensure every child, no matter where they are born or where they live, has access to safe, timely, comprehensive treatment for cleft lip and palate,” said Erin Stieber, Senior Vice-President of Programs at Smile Train.
[See Also: These 11 women exercise power at NSE listed companies]
