COVID-19 pandemic: revisiting the case for a dedicated financing mechanism for surgical care in resource-poor countries

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the long neglect of surgical services in resource-poor countries, especially at the district level; and it has compounded the threat posed by diseases amenable to surgery to the long-term health, well-being and development of entire nations. The present crisis presents both a justification and an opportunity for a dedicated global funding mechanism for strengthening surgical capacities in resource-poor countries. We hope that these ideas will contribute to a dialogue among practitioners, policy makers, researchers, political leaders, as well as representatives of bilateral and global health organisations, funding agencies and non-governmental organisations, with a view to securing and committing resources to expedite universal access to surgical care.