STREAMLINED CLINICAL CARE FOR FRACTURE MANAGEMENT IN LMICs
At its meeting held on 2–3 December 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the COSECSA Council endorsed the Clinical Guidelines for Fracture Management in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). These guidelines were developed by AO Alliance in collaboration with COSECSA and the West African College of Surgeons (WACS). The Council also approved the development of additional guidelines and their dissemination across all COSECSA T&O training hospitals.
Further regional support was demonstrated during the 73rd Health Ministers Conference (HMC) of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), held on 20–21 June 2024 in Arusha, Tanzania. The Ministers adopted the implementation of the guidelines under:
Resolution: ECSA/HMC73/R1 – Building Skilled Human Resources for Health Towards the Attainment of Universal Health Coverage in the ECSA-HC Region.
The Health Ministers:
- Commended the collaborative efforts of COSECSA and AO Alliance in advancing patient care through the development of evidence-based, context-relevant clinical guidelines.
- Directed the ECSA-HC Secretariat to support Member States in accelerating the harmonization of clinical standards and guidelines across regional colleges, including the AO Alliance/COSECSA Orthopaedic and Trauma protocols, to enhance quality and consistency in patient care.
AFRICAN CONSENSUS FOR TRAUMA IN ORTHOPAEDICS: NATIONAL STANDARDS (ACTIONS)
The ACTIONS clinical guidelines are tailored to the specific needs and resource contexts of LMICs.
This initiative seeks to:
- Improve patient outcomes in trauma care,
- Promote efficient and cost-effective treatment strategies, and
- Standardise clinical practices across healthcare systems.
By fostering consistency and quality in orthopaedic trauma care, the ACTIONS guidelines empower LMICs to strengthen health systems and advance towards universal access to safe, effective surgical care.