The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 234 million operations are performed worldwide each year (Weiser and others 2008). The WHO’s analysis establishes three significant findings:
Surgical interventions take place on a massive and previously unrecognized scale in all countries and resource settings.
The inequity in service provision among countries and settings is dramatic.
Little is known about the indications for, and the quality, safety, and outcomes of, surgical care.
© 2015 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.