By Bunmi Yekini
Medical practitioners, policy experts, and researchers have sounded the alarm over Africa’s dwindling number of surgical professionals, warning that the crisis could reach catastrophic levels by 2030. Studies presented at the ongoing Pan-African Surgical Conference (#PASC2025) reveal that the continent is projected to face a shortage of six million surgical care providers, leaving millions without access to life-saving procedures.
Speaking at the opening of the five-day conference in Kigali, Professor Faustin Ntirenganya, a senior consultant general and onco-plastic surgeon at the University of Rwanda and co-chair of the event, emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“Millions of people lack access to life-saving surgical care – a basic human right. This conference is not just about discussions; it is a call to action for a shared vision of access to quality healthcare. If we foster collaboration, equip local providers, and invest in innovation, we can create a future where no patient is left behind and reshape the future of surgical care in Africa and beyond,” Ntirenganya stated.
Themed “Building Resilient and Sustainable Surgical Services in Africa: A Surgeon in Every District Hospital,” the conference—organized by medical charity Operation Smile—aims to bolster surgical workforces across African nations and develop localized solutions to existing gaps in surgical care.
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Operation Smile’s Chief Medical Officer and conference co-chair, Ms. Billy Magee, called for increased global cooperation to support Africa’s efforts in strengthening its surgical workforce.
“Africa cannot do it alone. Operation Smile, as a locally led, globally supported organization, collaborates with healthcare providers, ministries of health, NGOs, corporations, and academic institutions to scale up Africa’s next generation of surgeons and anesthesiologists. I am thrilled to see this collaboration come to life in Kigali today—as every voice in this room contributes to a global network of solutions, innovation, and progress,” Magee said.
The conference features keynote addresses from Dr. Hanna Getachew, Dr. Peter Nthumba, and Prof. Kathryn Chu, among others. Discussions will focus on healthcare infrastructure innovation, policy advocacy for surgical access, and strategies to enhance surgical training and research.
Operation Smile, which has operated in Africa since 1987, has worked in 12 African countries to strengthen the surgical workforce through strategic partnerships. The nonprofit announced plans to expand its work to Tanzania in 2025 as part of its ongoing commitment to closing the gap in surgical and healthcare access across the continent.