The economic burden associated with unmet surgical needs in Liberia was investigated through a nationwide enumeration of surgical procedures and providers. Researchers estimated that surgical activities prevented an economic loss ranging from $35 to $141 million in 2018, averting a total of 55,890 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Non-specialist physicians played a significant role in generating these economic benefits. Additionally, the unmet surgical need resulted in productivity losses between $388 million and $1.6 billion, equivalent to 11% and 46% of Liberia’s annual gross domestic product (GDP). Strengthening the surgical system and encouraging collaboration between specialists and non-specialists may be more economically effective than solely focusing on specialist training.
Journal Article by Adde HA, Oghogho MD (…) Bolkan HA et 4 al. in BMJ Open
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