Implementing Liberia's poverty reduction strategy: An assessment of emergency and essential surgical care.
OBJECTIVE
To document infrastructure, personnel, procedures performed, and supplies and equipment available at all county hospitals in Liberia using the World Health Organization Tool for Situational Analysis of Emergency and Essential Surgical Care.


METHODS
Survey of county hospitals using the World Health Organization Tool for Situational Analysis of Emergency and Essential Surgical Care.


METHODS
Sixteen county hospitals in Liberia.


METHODS
Infrastructure, personnel, procedures performed, and supplies and equipment available.


RESULTS
Uniformly, gross deficiencies in infrastructure, personnel, and supplies and equipment were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
The World Health Organization Tool for Situational Analysis of Emergency and Essential Surgical Care was useful in identifying baseline emergency and surgical conditions for evidenced-based planning. To achieve the Poverty Reduction Strategy and delivery of the Basic Package of Health and Social Welfare Services, additional resources and manpower are needed to improve surgical and anesthetic care.
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Monrovia, Liberia.
Lawrence
L
Sherman
Peter T
PT
Clement
Meena N
MN
Cherian
Nestor
N
Ndayimirije
Luc
L
Noel
Bernice
B
Dahn
Walter T
WT
Gwenigale
Adam L
AL
Kushner
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003906:Developing Countries; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006280:Health Workforce; D006766:Hospitals, County / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007988:Liberia; D011203:Poverty; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data