title: Pediatric surgery as an essential component of global child health.
abstract: Recent initiatives in global health have emphasized universal coverage of essential health services. Surgical conditions play a critical role in child health in resource-poor areas. This article discusses (1) the spectrum of pediatric surgical conditions and their treatment; (2) relevance to recent advances in global surgery; (3) challenges to the prioritization of surgical care within child health, and possible solutions; (4) a case example from a resource-poor area (Uganda) illustrating some of these concepts; and (5) important child health initiatives with which surgical services should be integrated. Pediatric surgery providers must lead the effort to prioritize children's surgery in health systems development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yale University, 333 Cedar St, PO Box 208062, New Haven, CT 06520; Advisory Board, Global Partners in Anesthesia and Surgery, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: Doruk.ozgediz@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Doruk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ozgediz
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Maine Medical Center, Portland Maine, and Tufts University, Boston Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kisa
authors.affiliation: McGill University, Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, Montreal Childrens Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Bethany Kids at MyungSung Christian Medical Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poenaru
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health; D003906:Developing Countries; D014943:Global Health; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D013043:Specialties, Surgical
keywords: Congenital anomalies; Global child health; Global health disparities; Global pediatric surgery; Low and middle income countries; Uganda