Implementing Liberia's poverty reduction strategy: An assessment of emergency and essential surgical care

Abstract

Objective: To document infrastructure, personnel, procedures performed, and supplies and equipment available at all county hospitals in Liberia using the World Health Organization Tool for Situational Analysis of Emergency and Essential Surgical Care.

Design: Survey of county hospitals using the World Health Organization Tool for Situational Analysis of Emergency and Essential Surgical Care.

Setting: Sixteen county hospitals in Liberia.

Main outcome measures: Infrastructure, personnel, procedures performed, and supplies and equipment available.

Results: Uniformly, gross deficiencies in infrastructure, personnel, and supplies and equipment were identified.

Conclusions: The World Health Organization Tool for Situational Analysis of Emergency and Essential Surgical Care was useful in identifying baseline emergency and surgical conditions for evidenced-based planning. To achieve the Poverty Reduction Strategy and delivery of the Basic Package of Health and Social Welfare Services, additional resources and manpower are needed to improve surgical and anesthetic care.