Access to surgical care for all who need it.
Surgical care is a critical foundation for a strong health system, contributing to the health and well-being of patients, communities, and populations at all stages of life. Yet globally, an estimated 5 billion people cannot access safe, timely and affordable surgical care should they need it. Surgical conditions cause approximately 17 million deaths each year worldwide and are a major contributor to the global burden of disease. It is estimated that around 2.2 million more surgical and anesthesia providers and around 143 million more surgical procedures annually are needed to meet basic global surgical needs.
Many patients without access to care live in low- and middle-income countries, where surgery has historically been overlooked as a component of health systems strengthening. However, marked inequities in surgical access, quality and outcomes exist within Canada as well, particularly for patients living outside of major cities, those facing social and material deprivation, and those who are Indigenous or belong to a racial or ethnic minority.
Our Mission and Values
As part of our commitment to improving the health of local and global populations the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto supports an active Global Surgery Program. Through this, faculty and trainees from all Divisions participate in clinical, educational and research partnerships, training, capacity building, advocacy and engagement efforts, with a common goal of improving access to safe, timely and affordable surgical care for all who need it, within Canada and internationally.
We aim to:
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Partner with communities and local providers to identify and address priorities and needs
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Build local surgical capacity as part of sustainable, responsive and resilient health systems
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Advance global understanding of surgical need through research, policy and advocacy
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Train the next generation of surgeons and healthcare leaders from around the world to deliver excellent and equitable surgical care, for all who need it
Our history
Drs. Andrew Howard and Massey Beveridge spearheaded the establishment of The Office of International Surgery (OIS); the Department’s first efforts in formalizing their global presence. The founding premise was to provide the opportunity for creating lasting impact in developing nations through improved health systems, education of local healthcare providers, political and social advocacy, and formalized partnerships with governments and/or educational institutions. Today, we have over 25 faculty members participating in activities around the world. Learn more about Global Surgery history here.
Getting involved
We invite you to connect with our featured faculty and trainees, peruse our education opportunities, and stay up to date through our newsletters, publications, and events.
Questions? Email anna.dare@unityhealth.to or joanna.giddens@utoronto.ca.