The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Global Surgery and Emergency Medicine Divisions have recently been designated as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre. This prestigious designation underscores UCT’s critical role in addressing global healthcare disparities, with a particular focus on surgical and emergency care in underserved populations. Nearly five billion people worldwide lack access to essential surgical services, with many residing in low- and middle-income countries. These populations face significant barriers to obtaining timely, affordable, and safe surgical and emergency care, often resulting in preventable deaths. The WHO’s collaboration with UCT aims to transform healthcare systems, ensuring these essential services are available to all who need them. Professor Salome Maswime, head of the UCT Global Surgery Division and the lead of the new collaborating centre, explained the broader vision, saying the work as a WHO Collaborating Centre extends far beyond local impact. While the centre addresses critical healthcare needs within South Africa, it is actively collaborating with partners in Africa and globally to drive systemic change that will save lives.
The centre will focus on three key areas:
- Critical Care
- Surgical Care
- Emergency Care
Efforts will be concentrated on improving pre-hospital care, streamlining hospital transfers for higher levels of care, and enhancing primary healthcare services. In particular, the centre aims to address the alarming delays many patients face in accessing essential surgeries, such as caesarean sections, which often lead to tragic, preventable outcomes.
Impact on vulnerable populations
Vulnerable populations remain at the heart of this initiative. These include women, children, and older people, who often face systemic barriers to receiving timely and appropriate care. Prof Maswime said in some cases, women are not prioritised for certain medical interventions, or children might not receive the necessary surgeries due to societal inequalities. Vulnerable populations also include those with non-communicable diseases, such as the elderly, who may struggle to access care as easily as younger individuals. While UCT’s work begins locally, the centre’s ambition stretches across Africa and globally. The centre is already building on existing collaborations within UCT and with universities and experts across the continent to address the healthcare challenges unique to the African context. Prof Maswime said that by strengthening healthcare systems, the centre hopes to improve health outcomes and life expectancy and ensure that no life is lost due to inadequate care. This collaboration gives Africans a critical voice in developing solutions to help us move closer to universal healthcare for all.
A vision for universal healthcare
Through this WHO collaboration, UCT is positioned to be a global leader in healthcare innovation. The ultimate goal is to achieve universal access to high-quality surgical and emergency care. Designating UCT a WHO Collaborating Centre is a critical step toward bridging healthcare gaps and delivering lifesaving care to the most vulnerable populations.