Latest news with #surgicalcare
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
From Commitment to Change: Leaders Call for Action to Bridge a Gap in Surgical Access
At a pivotal World Health Assembly (WHA) side event in Geneva, the non-governmental organizations Mercy Ships ( and Operation Smile commemorated a decade of leadership in global efforts to enhance access to equitable surgical care. This event brought together global leaders, health ministers, and experts to celebrate progress, and confront the urgent challenges that remain in delivering safe, affordable surgical care to all. Despite growing awareness and political resolutions that have been adopted, 5 billion people still lack access to safe, affordable surgical care. (Global Surgery 2030: evidence and solutions for achieving health, welfare, and economic development - The Lancet) ( This gap between commitment and reality was a central theme throughout the event held during the 78th WHA last Wednesday. Dr. Neema Kaseje, a pediatric humanitarian surgeon working in Kakuma Refugee Camp, emphasized the human stories behind those statistics: women in urgent need of lifesaving C-sections and children with congenital conditions kept from the opportunity of attending school. 'We now know that 5 billion people lack access to surgery. But operationally, we are far behind. Access alone isn't enough,' she added. 'Poor-quality surgical services can worsen outcomes. We need to ensure access to high-quality care, especially in fragile and rural contexts.' Echoing that, Dr. Barnabas Alayande, General Surgeon and faculty member at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda said, 'Even after training 2,500 surgeons since 2015, surgical workforce density has barely increased, just 0.06 per 100,000. At the current pace of workforce development, it could take 300 years to train enough surgeons to meet global demand. We need to start thinking creatively: leveraging technology like telementoring, hub-and-spoke models, and place-based education to improve rural retention. We must rethink who we train, where and how.' Political Commitment A highlight came from Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ghana's Minister of Health, who delivered a powerful address, underscoring the nation's commitment to equitable surgical care. Highlighting the September 2024 launch of Ghana's National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP), he framed access to surgical services as a matter of justice, not just health. The plan, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3, is built around six pillars, from infrastructure to financing. In less than a year, Ghana has assessed over 100 facilities for surgical facilities, trained more than 300 providers, and procured essential equipment. 'Surgical indicators have been incorporated into Ghana's national health information system (DHIMS), and the country is moving toward a 20% salary incentive for health workers in rural areas to improve retention,' he said. While Ghana demonstrates what is possible, other nations remain stalled. Dr. Emmanuel Makasa, a longtime advocate and orthopedic surgeon, emphasized that political will must translate into horizontal integration, not isolated or vertical programs. 'Innovation is also essential. We need regional collaboration to produce critical surgical supplies such as sutures, blades, and IV fluids, so countries can support each other and reduce dependency. Sustainability comes not from rhetoric, but from action, integration, and innovation that is rooted in system-wide responsibility.' Building for the Future While the past decade focused heavily on data, indicators, definitions, and metrics, several speakers highlighted the need to now use that foundation to drive transformation. 'The focus on metrics, definitions, and data collection has been foundational,' said Dr. Caroline Haylok-Loor, Anesthesiologist and President-elect of the World Federation of the Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA) council. 'It gave us direction, tangible solutions backed by evidence from studies and systematic reviews. Now we are aware; there is clarity about the challenges and where we need to go.' Dr. Teri Reynolds, who leads Clinical Services in the department of Integrated Health System at the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted how the movement has inspired a new generation of health professionals, surgeons and anesthesiologists who gained opportunities and experiences they wouldn't have had without the pathways opened by the global surgery movement. Partnership as a Driving Force A recurring theme of the evening was the power of partnership. Dr. Ayala issued a powerful call for multisectoral collaboration. Governments cannot do it alone. NGOs, foundations, and the private sector must work together, sharing expertise and learning, to transform partnerships into sustainable impact. Marina Anselme, Secretary General of the MSC Foundation, shared how industry and the private sector can play a supporting but vital role in strengthening health systems. 'We support Mercy Ships and Operation Smile by transporting emergency medical items and enabling free surgical care around the world. In addition, we are co-financing the construction of a new hospital ship, committing to cover 50% of its cost over the next three years.' To close the evening, Dr. Walt Johnson, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Mercy Ships, underscored that partnerships are not just rhetoric; they are the engine driving progress in global surgery. 'If you recall, Millennium Development Goal 8 was about partnerships. So is SDG 17, which, in reality, remains in existence until 2030,' he said. 'Every one of you, whether from member states, regional offices, or academic institutions, has a role and is a partner. Everything we do depends on partnership. It's fundamental to getting across the finish line for global surgery.' With stronger policy implementation, coordinated action, and a shared commitment to equity, the global health community is moving closer to a future where access to surgery is not a privilege, but a guarantee for all. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships. For more information about Mercy Ships, contact: Sophie Barnett Mercy Ships Senior Manager of International PR About Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world's two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit and follow @ MercyShips on social media. About Operation Smile: Operation Smile is a leading global nonprofit bridging the gap in access to essential surgeries and health care, starting with cleft surgery and comprehensive care. We provide medical expertise, training, mentorship, research and care through our dedicated staff and volunteers around the world, working alongside local governments, nonprofits, and health systems, and supported by our generous donors and corporate partners. For more information about Operation Smile, please visit:
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Altera's Integrated Operating Theater System Successfully Launches at Latrobe Regional Health
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., May 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altera Digital Health is proud to announce the successful activation of its integrated operating theater system at Latrobe Regional Health (LRH), one of the hospital members of Gippsland Health Alliance (GHA). GHA has been leveraging Sunrise™ as its enterprise-wide electronic health record (EHR) platform, utilizing Microsoft Azure to enhance interoperability, security and scalability across its network. As part of its ongoing digital transformation, GHA has now implemented an anesthesia information management system (AIMS) platform called Provation® iPro to integrate with Sunrise at LRH. This milestone deployment of Sunrise Surgical Care and Provation iPro AIMS streamlines theater management and clinical documentation, enabling efficient surgical scheduling and ensuring a seamless patient experience with a single clinical record from pre-admission to discharge. A Streamlined Approach to Theater Management The successful deployment of Sunrise Surgical Care at LRH marks the first implementation of this advanced surgical management solution in Australia. Fully integrated with Sunrise EHR, Sunrise Surgical Care enhances efficiency by enabling real-time tracking of theater utilization, optimized scheduling and improved resource allocation. This implementation reinforces LRH's commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centric care by reducing administrative burdens and ensuring timely access to critical surgical data. Sunrise Surgical Care also plays a key role in supporting a continuous, single patient record from perioperative care to discharge. By providing clinicians with a comprehensive view of each patient's surgical journey, the system strengthens communication between healthcare providers and enhances patient safety and outcomes. Additionally, the deployment of the Provation iPro AIMS platform spans 12 operating theaters and 18 Post-Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) beds at LRH. Designed by practicing anesthetists, Provation iPro streamlines electronic anesthesia documentation throughout the entire perioperative encounter, standardizes the collection of quality measures and even streamlines billing processes. Provation iPro's integration with Sunrise Surgical Care creates a seamless user experience, eliminating manual, redundant data entry. With this technology, Pre-Admissions clinics have transitioned from paper to digital records, populating data from Pre-Admission assessments into the day-of-surgery record, streamlining the theater admission process. Provation iPro's autovitals feature wirelessly streams patient vitals from anesthesia monitor machines directly into the clinical record. With this, alongside a number of other thoughtful features, including picture-documentation, pre-filled procedure templates and hard-stops, providers can refocus their attention on the patient while simultaneously producing a more complete, compliant, legible anesthesia record. Unlike traditional paper systems, these digital records can now be accessed and viewed by multiple clinicians across multiple locations simultaneously, enhancing collaboration and ensuring all relevant information is available in real time. To keep families informed, LRH has introduced a "Patient Procedure Tracker" board in waiting areas, providing real-time updates on which stage of the theater journey their loved one is in — whether they are in pre-op, surgery, or recovery. This helps reduce uncertainty and minimizes the need for calls to reception. Advancing Digital Transformation in Healthcare Latrobe Regional Health's adoption of this operating theater system marks a significant step in its digital transformation journey. By leveraging advanced clinical technology, LRH is setting a new standard for theater efficiency, patient management and operational effectiveness. Jon Millar, Chief Operating Officer at LRH, added, "This deployment at LRH showcases our strong partnership with Altera. Leveraging this technology enhances patient experiences and ensures seamless care delivery across our facility. Performing more than 10,000 surgical procedures per year, LRH is utilizing this system to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows and improve patient care. The ability to maintain a single clinical record from pre-admission to discharge is a game-changer for both staff and patients." Todd Haebich, EVP, APAC at Altera Digital Health, shared, "The successful activation of Sunrise Surgical Care and Provation iPro at Latrobe Regional Health is a significant milestone for Altera, Provation and Gippsland Health Alliance. By equipping healthcare facilities with advanced tools, we empower clinicians to enhance patient care while optimizing workflows. This deployment highlights our ongoing commitment to supporting digital innovation in healthcare." Enhancing Patient Care Through Integration This launch aligns with the recent $223.5 million expansion of Latrobe Regional Health in Traralgon, which has significantly increased the hospital's capacity and services. With this multi-stage project now complete, local families can access world-class care closer to home, further strengthening the impact of Sunrise Surgical Care and Provation iPro in delivering high-quality patient outcomes. For clinicians, these systems reduce the need for manual data entry, produce legible, complete anesthesia records, minimize duplication of records and enhance visibility into real-time theater utilization. These efficiencies contribute to better resource planning, fewer delays and improved surgical outcomes. Commitment to Innovation and Excellence This deployment reinforces Altera's commitment to supporting healthcare innovation across the region, ensuring that hospitals and clinicians have the tools they need to deliver exceptional care now and into the future. About Altera Digital Health A global healthcare IT leader, Altera Digital Health develops and elevates technology to bring next-level healthcare within reach. Altera's approach to our solutions is changing the way healthcare is delivered—we see the summit of what healthcare can be, but rather than total transformation, we're focused on helping organizations take the steps they need to get there. Altera designs digital health services that lead healthcare to a higher place, while we guide those we partner with, all along the way. To learn more, visit About Provation Provation is a leading provider of healthcare software and SaaS solutions, dedicated to empowering providers to deliver quality healthcare for all. Our comprehensive portfolio offers clinical productivity software that spans the entire patient encounter in the Anesthesia and GI (Gastroenterology) practices. With a purpose-driven approach, Provation aims to streamline and enhance healthcare workflows for improved patient outcomes. Provation has a loyal customer base, serving more than 700 physician groups globally. In 2021, Provation was acquired by Fortive Corporation, a Fortune 1000 company that builds essential technology and accelerates transformation in high-impact fields like workplace safety, engineering, and healthcare. For more information about our solutions, visit and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. View source version on Contacts For more information contact: alteramediarelations@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Geek Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
Surgical care center startup Oath Surgical comes out of stealth with $10M
GeekWire's startup coverage documents the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial scene. Sign up for our weekly startup newsletter , and check out the GeekWire funding tracker and venture capital directory . Oath Surgical, a new startup out of Portland, Ore., revealed more details about its outpatient surgical care business, touting the service as lower cost and higher quality compared to traditional hospital-based procedures. The company is led by CEO Oliver Keown, a longtime doctor and healthcare investor. 'Oath is rearchitecting the surgical care system around how it should work in 2025 and beyond: digitally integrated, AI-powered, surgeon-led, and built to deliver value-based care,' Keown wrote on LinkedIn. The company's OathOS software features a proprietary AI scribe and AI-assisted charting, along with real-time data, cost tracking, and surgical performance metrics. Oath has two surgery centers in Portland. The company has raised more than $10 million from Oxford Science Enterprises, Black Opal Ventures, Rogue VC, Tau Ventures, First Spark Ventures, and others.
