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Characterizing pediatric surgical capacity in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: results of a pilot study

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Abstract

Purpose

Characterize pediatric surgical capacity in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to identify areas of potential improvement.

Methods

The Pediatric Personnel, Infrastructure, Procedures, Equipment, and Supplies (PediPIPES) survey was used in two representative eastern DRC provinces to assess existing surgical infrastructure and capacity. We compared our results to previously published reports from other sub-Saharan African countries.

Results

Fourteen hospitals in the eastern DRC and 37 in 19 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries were compared. The average PediPIPES index for the DRC was 7.7 compared to 13.5 for SSAs. The greatest disparities existed in the areas of personnel and infrastructure. Running water was reportedly available to 57.1% of the hospitals in the DRC, and the majority of hospitals (78.6%) were dependent on generators and solar panels for electricity. Only two hospitals in the DRC (14.3%) reported a pediatric surgeon equivalent on staff, compared to 86.5% of facilities sampled in SSA reporting ≥ 1 pediatric surgeon.

Conclusions

Significant barriers in personnel, infrastructure, procedures, equipment, and supplies impede the provision of adequate surgical care to children. Further work is needed to assess allocation and utilization of existing resources, and to enhance training of personnel with specific attention to pediatric surgery.

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Author notes

  1. Sarah B. Cairo

    Present address: Department of Pediatric Surgery, John R Oshei Children’s Hospital, 1001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, John R Oshei Children’s Hospital, 1001 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, USA

    David H. Rothstein

  2. HEAL Africa Hospital and College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo

    Luc Malemo Kalisya

  3. Nurse Anesthetist, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo

    Richard Bigabwa

  4. Department of Surgery, State University of New York at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA

    David H. Rothstein

Authors
  1. Sarah B. Cairo
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  2. Luc Malemo Kalisya
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  3. Richard Bigabwa
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  4. David H. Rothstein
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Correspondence to Sarah B. Cairo.

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Cairo, S.B., Kalisya, L.M., Bigabwa, R. et al. Characterizing pediatric surgical capacity in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: results of a pilot study. Pediatr Surg Int 34, 343–351 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-017-4215-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-017-4215-z

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