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OUR MISSION

Historically, surgery has been largely omitted from the global public health discourse. However, conditions ranging from injuries to cancer to complications from childbirth comprise a significant and growing proportion of global death and disability, and all require surgical attention. Nonetheless, surgery still is inaccessible to those who may need it the most: a large portion of the world’s poor. 

Our objective is to advocate for universal access to safe, affordable surgical, anesthesia, and ob/gyn care when needed.

OUR STRATEGY

The PGSSC is a program of the HMS Department of Global Health and Social Medicine and involves faculty, physicians, and researchers from Harvard Medical School, teaching hospitals, and collaborative partners.

Our strategy is two-fold:
     
Global Surgical Systems Strengthening through Research, Advocacy/Policy, Capacity Building, and Implementation Science, using the Framework of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. You can learn more about the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery on our Resources page.
     
To Produce Leaders in Global Surgical and Health Systems through Research, Advocacy, and Care Delivery rooted in social justice and equity. The Paul Farmer Global Surgery Fellowships and Research Collaborator positions, aim to empower surgeons, surgical trainees, and medical students around the world with the skills they need to improve the health of some of the world's most impoverished people.

Our research focuses on surgical and health systems strengthening that is measurable, transparent, and locally driven. 
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