The impact of natural disasters on healthcare and surgical services in low- and middle-income countries

Introduction Humanitarian settings, such as natural disasters, cause human suffering and destruction, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In a challenging scenario, such as the aftermath of a natural disaster, health systems can collapse under the burden of casualties. However, qualified surgical care remains crucial in LMICs when exposed to the debilitating consequences of natural disasters. With LMICs experiencing three times more fatalities in the event of natural disasters compared to high-income countries, it is essential to establish minimum standards of care when initiating surgical care activities1. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Foreign Field Hospitals (FFHs) exemplify the implementation of the ‘do no harm’ principle, especially in a challenging situation to ensure the best possible quality surgical care to…