The World Health Organization (WHO) is expanding its training of health care workers in low- and middle-income countries to be able to perform basic surgical operations that will save lives and prevent disabilities.
The training program, which trains staff in simple surgical procedures, anesthesia and emergency care, already exists in 22 countries. The WHO plans to expand it in order to allow more rural hospitals and health centers to perform simple surgeries, as many low-income countries are facing a shortage of qualified health care workers that can perform essential, life-saving tasks.
"The initiative signifies a shift in the way we think about surgery," said Dr. Luc Noel, head of clinical procedures at WHO. "Until recently, surgery was a neglected health issue in developing countries because it was assumed to be too expensive and sophisticated."
Access to surgery can be valuable for patients with HIV/AIDS, as some of the complications associated with HIV—including abscesses, anorectal disorders, lipoatrophy or mild forms of Kaposi's sarcoma—can be treated with simple surgical interventions.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
