Dr. Barnabas Alayande

Most global child health programs have focused on the first 2 years of life, and the next 17 years often remain neglected from the global health agenda, particularly for adolescents. Over 2000 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years die every day from preventable causes such as road traffic injuries, many of which might require surgery.1 Surgically amenable conditions, including neoplasms, burns, gender‐based violence, and drownings remain in the top 5 causes of death and disability among adolescents and demonstrate the need to increase focus on surgical care. Of the 811 million adolescents lacking access to safe, affordable, and timely surgical care in the world, over 90% live in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).2 In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a landmark report outlining the need to improve health for adolescents around the globe.1 Furthermore, the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing outlined the large evidence base for investing in adolescent health through specific intervention packages, such as school‐based educational campaigns and vaccination programs.3 However, the role of surgical care was not included in either report.