Table 1 Key messages from the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery [5]

In 2015, the LCoGS developed five key messages about the status of surgical care worldwide

5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable surgical and anaesthesia care when needed

143 million additional surgical procedures are needed each year to save lives and prevent disability

81 million individuals face catastrophic health expenditure seeking surgery and anaesthesia each year

Investment in surgical and anaesthesia care is affordable, saves lives and promotes economic growth. An

investment of $350 billion would contribute an estimated $12 trillion in economic growth

Surgery is an indivisible, indispensable part of health care