The Continental Surgical Workforce Observatory
Background
Workforce density is one of the six Lancet Commission indicators and among the most consequential determinants of surgical access. The PASHeF Strategic Plan 2025–2030 names as a Key Action the establishment of a Continental Surgical Workforce Observatory in collaboration with continental health bodies to track density and distribution. Currently Africa has regional bodies for accreditation that facilitate the training of surgeons and accreditation across member states. However, these bodies remain regional and lack the capacity to gather continual register, accreditation and unitization of available surgical anaesthesia and obstetric workforce.
Objective
To establish a continental register of surgical, obstetric, anaesthesia and perioperative workforce density, distribution, training output and retention, built with the regional colleges that hold the training pipeline data.
Approach
and launch
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Desk review: Work with respective MOHs and colleges to gather as many data as possible on workforce distribution
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Data standard: Agree definitions, disaggregation and submission format with existing platforms eg. COSECSA, WACS, CAS, SASA and the regional nursing and anaesthesia associations.
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Pilot: Eight Member States submit a first workforce return based on the aggregates.
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Public launch: Observatory released after Mid 2027.
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Scale and integrate: At least 20 States reporting annually; integration into the Africa CDC continental M&E architecture.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
Inputs
College training and examination records | Ministry human resource registries in eight pilot States
Data manager and an African-hosted platform
Outputs
Agreed continental workforce data standard | Public Observatory with visible completeness reporting
Annual State of the Surgical Workforce report
Outcomes
15+ Member States submitting annual returns by 2027 | Workforce data used in national plan costing
Impact
A verifiable continental trend against the 2030 workforce density target