Africa’s Growing Surgeon Shortage Crisis

Surgeon Shortage Deepens Health Crisis in Africa

Friday, March 28, 2025

In the remote village of Koono, nestled in Kenya’s Turkana County, a 12-year-old boy sits quietly on a chair, watching his peers play football—a game that once brought him joy but also led to a life-altering injury.

“It was in January last year. He was playing with friends when he accidentally fell and broke his right leg,” recounts his father.

For months after the accident, the boy's father carried him to a nearby clinic, a few kilometers away. Yet, they found little more than temporary relief.

“All they could do was manage his pain and change the bandages. The clinic isn’t equipped to perform surgeries,” the father explains.

Eventually, his parents were forced to travel repeatedly to Lodwar, a town 70 kilometers away, seeking surgical intervention at a better-equipped hospital. The cost of transportation was high, and each visit was met with long queues and extended delays.

“The hospital is overwhelmed with patients, and the shortage of qualified staff made the waiting period long,” he says.

Only after a prolonged wait was the surgery finally performed, and the boy is now on the road to recovery.

Africa’s Critical Shortage of Surgeons

The family’s struggle is emblematic of a broader crisis across Africa—an acute shortage of surgeons and surgical facilities.

Statistics reveal that over 90% of people living in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to even basic surgical care. This alarming issue was the focus of a continental surgical medicine summit held in February in Kigali, Rwanda, where doctors, researchers, and stakeholders convened to address the growing challenge.

Experts painted a grim picture. Not only are surgical services poorly funded, but many countries also lack the essential infrastructure required to support medical procedures—leaving millions without access to life-saving care.

A report from the World Bank notes that Africa averages only one surgeon per 200,000 people—staggeringly short of the recommended 76 per 200,000.

In Tanzania, for instance, there are currently only 600 trained surgeons, according to Dr. Amaani Malima, President of the Association of Surgeons.

Prof. Abebe Bekele, a professor of surgery and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Research Affairs at the University of Global Health Equity, attributes the crisis to the absence of a robust training framework.

“Most African nations don’t have a structured system to train these specialists,” Prof. Bekele states.

Impact Beyond Surgeons

The shortage extends beyond surgeons alone. Dr. Charles Kabetu, an anesthesiologist and East Africa regional medical officer, says the issue encompasses the entire surgical care team.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has only 2.3 surgical care providers for every 1,000 people—a number far below global norms.

“This shortage severely undermines hospitals’ ability to provide adequate care,” Dr. Kabetu emphasizes.

Rural areas are particularly hard-hit. Most specialists choose to work in urban hospitals, where infrastructure and equipment are far superior. This migration has left rural hospitals with minimal surgical capabilities.

“Many prefer cities because of the better working conditions and resources,” adds Prof. Bekele.

Why Are Specialists Leaving?

One of the leading causes of the crisis is the exodus of skilled medical professionals. Dr. Stephen Okelo, an anesthesiologist and trainer with the Global Heart Association, points to brain drain as a key factor.

“Many well-trained professionals are leaving Africa—not only for higher salaries but also to escape poor working environments,” he says.

In Nigeria alone, between 2008 and 2021, over 35,000 doctors relocated to the United Kingdom. The number is even more concerning for other healthcare workers—more than 60,000 left the country between 2002 and 2021.

Addressing the Crisis

Experts agree that solving this crisis requires significant investment in technology, infrastructure, and training.

“African governments must commit substantial resources to modernize healthcare systems,” says Dr. Okelo.

Kathy Magee, co-founder of Operation Smile—an organization delivering surgical care across several African nations—urges regional cooperation.

“This isn’t a problem any one person or country can fix alone. It requires a united effort involving governments, international agencies, and local communities,” she concludes.