Robust healthcare systems play a pivotal role in driving economic growth. Yet, within this spectrum, pediatric surgery remains critically underfunded. With millions of children having no access to life-saving care, World Pediatrics highlights the need for investment in the field to save lives and stimulate economic development in vulnerable regions.
The overwhelming numbers underline this urgent need for action. Over 450 million children under the age of five are deprived of basic surgical care. The Millennium Development Goal era significantly reduced child mortality rates, but progress has plateaued due to neglected aspects of healthcare, particularly surgery. Pediatric surgical interventions address various needs, from congenital anomalies to traumatic injuries and childhood cancers. Besides improving survival rates, these interventions prevent lifelong disabilities, shield families from financial strain, and enhance community productivity. However, global funding priorities reflect a disparity despite these benefits.
Access to surgery was recognized as a global health issue in 2015 by the World Health Organization, however, diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria receive billions in funding, while surgical care remains marginalized. An estimated 17 million lives are lost annually due to conditions requiring surgical care. This figure is five times greater than the combined deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The economic toll of neglecting surgical care in low- and middle-income countries is alarming, with an estimated $12.3 trillion in GDP lost due to insufficient healthcare infrastructure. Vafa Akhavan, CEO of World Pediatrics, points out: “The economic growth in regions like sub-Saharan Africa is still stagnant. Inflation-adjusted incomes barely surpass those of the 1970s. This shows diminishing returns on these investments. Meanwhile, pediatric surgical care—a field with so much untapped potential—is still sidelined. Imagine the outcomes of redirecting even just a fraction of resources to this area.”
World Pediatrics’ mission revolves around its commitment to leaving no child behind due to inadequate surgical care. It establishes partnerships with governments, healthcare providers, and other organizations to ensure the delivery of direct surgical interventions, empowerment of local healthcare workers, and strengthening of the healthcare infrastructure.
The forward-thinking organization is known for its three-pronged strategy—Deliver, Empower, Transform—which reflects its holistic approach to achieving sustainable change. Specialized surgical care, capacity building within local healthcare systems, and infrastructural enhancements serve as the foundation of its innovative initiatives.
The impact of World Pediatrics’ work is evident in the results of a study conducted by experts from Washington University School of Medicine titled Cost-Effectiveness of Pediatric Hand International Medical Missions. Using World Pediatrics’ records in 2016, 2018, and 2019 for its pediatric upper extremity orthopedic mission trips, the research concluded that cost-effective surgical treatments for the upper extremity can be delivered through these orthopedic medical mission trips. It’s worth noting that this holds true even after considering the costs to the host country and the organization as well as trip donations.
St. Vincent is an excellent case study of World Pediatrics’ success. William & Mary, a partner of the organization, evaluated the economic benefits of World Pediatrics’ surgical interventions. The findings showcased a remarkable return on investment, with most procedures proving cost-effective at levels significantly below the national GDP per capita. This success attests to the organization’s ability to achieve high-impact outcomes while managing costs, presenting a strong argument for expanded support.
“We’ve averted more than 5,800 DALYs [disability-adjusted life years] in over 17 years in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a nation of over 100,000 people. The cost-effectiveness of our interventions are well within the WHO’s [World Health Organization] thresholds,” states Akhavan.
World Pediatrics focuses on complex, tertiary-level surgical interventions. It takes on the most challenging cases requiring specialized expertise and resources, distinguishing itself from organizations that address single diseases or conditions. This approach may be more complicated to scale, but the economic and societal impact by enabling children to lead productive lives is long reaching. To demonstrate, a young boy from Guatemala underwent spine surgeries that enabled him to pursue medical school.
The business case for investing in pediatric surgery is the extraordinary returns brought by alleviating the long-term economic burden of untreated conditions. The moment for action is now. Donors and investors hold the power to drive this transformation by supporting initiatives championed by World Pediatrics. Prioritizing pediatric surgical care will unlock untapped economic potential, reduce inequalities, and save countless lives.
