The Global Surgery Policy Unit (GSPU) is a unique and strategic collaboration between the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Established to advance global public health, surgical and anaesthesia care, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Unit aims to increase access to safe, affordable, high-quality surgery, to improve public health, patient safety and population health outcomes.
The term “Global Surgery” describes a multidisciplinary field of practice aimed at providing improved and equitable surgical and anaesthetic care across international health systems. Access to safe, high quality and affordable surgical care is an essential component of a well-functioning health system that delivers on population health, wellbeing and development. In 2015, the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery identified the unmet need for surgical care worldwide, estimating that 5 billion people lack access to safe affordable care. Due to global events in the last decade and the resulting degradation of previously functional health systems in countries afflicted by war and conflict, it is likely that this figure will have increased significantly in the last decade.
Approximately 11% of the global burden of disease and many causes of physical disability are due to surgically treatable conditions. Moreover, surgical disorders account for a disproportionate proportion of avoidable deaths and morbidity in people between the age of 5-30 in LMICs. RCS England and LSE believe that providing surgical and anaesthetic care can save lives and translate into effective health policy. Such interventions can be cost-effective additions to the basic package of health services that is required to achieve universal health coverage.
Building on the expertise of both organisations, the GSPU works to strengthen the evidence-base for global surgery through high-level policy research, capacity-building partnerships and advocacy initiatives aimed at influencing decision-makers and empowering communities.
To advance global public health, surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia care, with a particular focus on low and middle-income countries
To work to strengthen the evidence-base for global surgery through high-level policy research, capacity-building partnerships and advocacy initiatives aimed at influencing decision-makers and empowering communities
Funding has enabled the College to enter into a strategic collaboration with the LSE to establish the Global Surgery Policy Unit (GSPU). The GSPU has undertaken a range of activities in the fields of research, education, policy and advocacy. Together these have resulted in recognition of the GSPU as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Policy and Impact of Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative Care.
A WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) is an institution designated by the Director-General to form part of an international collaborative network set up by WHO in support of its programme at the country, regional, and global levels. In line with the WHO policy and strategy of technical cooperation, a WHO CC also participates in the strengthening of country resources, in terms of information, services, research and training, in support of national health development.
Designation is made with the agreement of the head of the establishment to which the institution is attached and after consultation with the national government. An institution is designated initially for a term of four years; the designation may be renewed for the same or a shorter period.
Designation as a WHO CC is independent of financial support being given to the institution by WHO. However, the GSPU has been undertaking consultancy work for WHO in support of the evidence base for how the Emergency, Critical and Operative Care (ECO) resolution is to be implemented and monitored. Dr Friebel and Miss Hargest have also acted as moderators for the WHO consultation with the member organisations of the Global Alliance for Care of the Injured (GACI) held in Geneva during 2024.
The GSPU has also undertaken multiple research projects, advocacy and engagement initiatives, educational and supervisory activities and produced several publications.
Memorial
It is with great sadness that the GSPU notes the death of Dr Ahmed Almaqadma, RCSEng Humanitarian Surgery Initiative Innovation fellow and orthoplastic surgeon. Dr Almaqadma and his mother (also a doctor) were violently killed outside Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza in April 2024. A tribute has been published in the Bulletin of the RCS.
