PROVIDING ACCESS TO SAFE SURGERY FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
About Safe Surgery 2020
The Safe Surgery 2020 initiative is a multi-component program that started in 2015 and has explored innovative models for expanding safe surgical care. It has contributed valuable insights and ideas for improving surgical and health care systems. Access to safe and high-quality surgical care is critical to advancing global healthcare and improving the lives of millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, safe surgical care remains beyond the reach of far too many people.
Watch back our Virtual Roundtable Event
Replay our recently live-streamed event, “Achieving better health for the medically underserved,” to learn more about the success of Safe Surgery 2020 and how the initiatives and solutions can be leveraged in places where better health care and access is desperately needed.
On the panel: GE FOUNDATION, HMX – Harvard Medical School, ASSIST INTERNATIONAL, Jhpiego, Calmette Hospital in Phnom Penh, and Ministry of Health in Ethiopia.
Download the slides:
SS2020 Results John G. Meara, MD, DMD, MBA Harvard Medical School
SS2020 Next steps Cheri Reynolds Assist International
Over the course of five years, Safe Surgery 2020 has impacted tens of millions of people
We have done so through collaboration with foundations, nonprofits, educational institutions and local governments who want to make surgery safe, affordable and accessible across the world.
The Safe Surgery 2020 programs have been implemented in three countries; Ethiopia, Tanzania and Cambodia.
Programs
Safe Surgery 2020 is a multi-component program aimed at strengthening surgical services, improving systems and changing the way care is delivered. After conducting extensive research and consulting experts in healthcare, policy, and strategy, we have designed an approach that holistically addresses root causes of inadequate access to surgical care. Our programs focus on four key elements: workforce development, infrastructure support, policy development, and M&E and research.
Workforce development
+ We trained surgical teams on technical and essential people skills and connected them with mentors.
Infrastructure support
+ We tested and scaled innovative solutions tailored to the prioritized needs of health facilities.
Policy development
+ We supported health officials drafting national surgical plans and strategies that elevated the provision of safe surgery.
M&E and research
+ We measured results and collected evidence in order to inform and engage the global health community.
Learnings
Five years of working toward universal access to safe surgery has taught us valuable lessons that we would like to share to help guide further action. Our learnings fall into three categories: program design and monitoring & evaluation, partnerships, and advocacy.
+ We found that adaptability and iteration are critical to program design and that the most effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) efforts adapt alongside programs. Learn more
+ Through our work with various partners, we found that selecting partners can make or break program success and that innovative, unfamiliar partnership models require larger up-front investments in trust building and transparency in order to succeed. Learn more
+ By working on both global and national level, we found that advocacy can shift the narrative toward country ownership.
Learn more
Resources
As part of Safe Surgery 2020, we have created valuable toolkits and reports, which we hope can inspire others. With our work across three different contries, we have gained insights for both implementers, funders, researchers and healthcare professionals as well as created practical tools for policy makers, ministries and hospital management.
Partners
Safe Surgery 2020 was made possible thanks to a group of partners with unique skill sets in the global health space. See who our partners were here.