Pediatric Neurosurgery in Pakistan: Current Status and a Call-To- Action for Inclusion in The National Surgical Plan

Abstract

The pediatric population in Pakistan is vulnerable to premature morbidity and

mortality due to ineffective neurosurgical health system performance.

Approximately 7 per 1000 children in Pakistan have epilepsy, cerebral palsy,

and central nervous system infections. The ramifications are dire when this

incidence rate is paired with a scarcity of skilled pediatric neurosurgeons,

resources, and infrastructure. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are one of the

leading causes of death in children under three years of age. 76% of which are

avertible with timely surgical access. The National Surgical, Obstetric, and

Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP) provides a framework to facilitate access to surgical

treatment and improve surgical system resilience. This paper presents a

commentary on the status of pediatric neurosurgery in Pakistan and a seminal

framework for policy reform to advocate its inclusion in the NSOAP.