Mission

The Emergency and Essential Surgical Care (EESC) project has the following objectives.

• Support capacity building in the safe and appropriate use of emergency and essential surgical procedures and linked equipment in resource limited healthcare facilities, thereby improving the quality of care
• Strengthen existing training and education programs for safety of emergency and essential clinical procedures in countries

Well-organised surgical, obstetric , trauma care and anaesthesia services are essential for a district hospital to be an effective community resource. These services should be developed within the framework of the country and district's health care infrastructure.

Without such services, up to 10% of the population will die from injury and 5% of pregnancies will result in maternal death. Unacceptable rates of death from non-traumatic surgical disorders and disability from injury will also result.

Death and disability from trauma and pregnancy-related complications can be substantially reduced through the following integrated strategy to maximise the effectiveness of first-referal level health care facilities.

• Personnel with appropriate education and training.
• Practical continuing education programmes in clinical management to maintain the quality of care.
• Appropriate physical facilities.
• Equipment and instruments to meet the needs of district surgical services..
• A reliable system for the supply of drugs and medication, surgical materials and other consumables.
• A quality assurance system.