Addressing the Burden of Hernias in Africa: A Comprehensive Analysis of Charity-Driven Surgical Interventions" – 14 Years of Experience With Charity Surgery Missions

This abstract outlines a research endeavor focused on the charitable provision of hernia surgeries in Africa, seeking to shed light on the challenges, successes, and potential avenues for improvement in addressing this prevalent health issue. Starting with the organisation “Operation Hernia” and continuing with “Hernia International”, we today know that hernias pose a substantial burden in resource-limited settings in Africa, and charitable surgical interventions play a pivotal role in alleviating this burden. There is an alarming prevalence of 6,3 million untreated hernias in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of current charity-driven hernia surgery programs and explore strategies for enhancing their impact. Our research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis of surgical outcomes with qualitative insights gathered through interviews with healthcare professionals, patients, and organizations involved in charity hernia surgery initiatives. Preliminary findings underscore the positive impact of these programs, showcasing improved patient outcomes and increased accessibility to surgical care. However, challenges such as surgical capacity constraints, logistical hurdles, and long-term follow-up care disparities are identified as critical areas requiring attention. This abstract contributes to the broader discourse on healthcare accessibility in Africa by presenting evidence-based recommendations for optimizing charity hernia surgery programs. The findings presented in this abstract serve as a foundation for a comprehensive congress presentation, fostering dialogue and collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers committed to advancing charity hernia surgery and healthcare accessibility in Africa.