Policy Goal

ICES, along with its partners, has been contributing to efforts for a WHA resolution that included an item on Surgical Care and Anesthesia as part of the 135th Executive Board meeting of the World Health Assembly. ICES and its partners supported these efforts and have garnered the support of civil society. These efforts were highlighted in hosting a Safe Surgical Care and Aneasthesia side event reception.  

Overview of Event

Partner Statement-  While ensuring that universal access to surgical care and anesthesia will not be easy – it is certainly possible, especially when we join forces as providers, researchers and policymakers. Together, we can build greater momentum and set the direction of a public health movement that has already realized 
dramatic progress over the past decade. We can and must ensure that each and every individual can 
have access to safe and high quality surgical care and anaesthesia at the primary health care level.  The full statement details this call to action.

Executive Board meeting report (135th session) on Strengthening Emergency and Essential Surgery as a component of Universal Health Coverage

Critical issues in Essential Surgery