Center for Global Surgery

The Center for Global Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine was created to unify efforts to improve access to high-quality surgical care. The Center functions as a hub for surgical education, disparities research, and local and international partnerships, as well as acting as an incubator for global health innovation. It offers a variety of global surgery training programs, both in-person and virtual, for practicing physicians, residents and fellows with the goal of surgical excellence in humanitarian aid, disaster, austere, and resource-limited contexts. 

The Unmet Need

The World Health Organization and the World Bank have identified improving access to surgical care as an urgent global health challenge and a cost-effective investment.  

• 5 billion people lack access to safe, timely and affordable surgical care.
• 85% of people in low-income countries will have a surgically treatable condition by age 15.
• One-third of all childhood deaths are attributable to a surgically treatable condition.
• Without surgical infrastructure, low-income countries will contribute to $12.3 trillion in lost economic productivity by 2030.