Conhecendo as demandas de cuidado em saúde mental de jovens homoafetivos / Conociendo las demandas de cuidado en salud mental de jóvenes homoafectivos / Knowing the demands of mental health care of the young homoaffective

Objetivo: conhecer as demandas de cuidado em saúde mental de jovens homoafetivos. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, realizada com 18 jovens homoafetivos, estudantes universitários, em Santa Catarina. A produção de informações ocorreu em 2016, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, com questões sobre percepções em relação à própria saúde mental, a homoafetividade e expectativas frente ao cuidado de saúde. As informações foram interpretadas mediante análise de conteúdo. Resultados: foram identificadas vulnerabilidades individuais, sociais e programáticas dos jovens homoafetivos, que podem interferir na saúde mental, levando-os a buscar suporte profissional. Foram relatadas fragilidades dos serviços de saúde para este cuidado. Considerações finais: os jovens homoafetivos vivenciam situações de vulnerabilidades, havendo demandas de cuidados que são negligenciadas nos serviços de saúde. Eles carecem de inovações, sobretudo em saúde mental, uma vez que sofrem agressões, opressões e estigmas, que colaboram para o uso de drogas. Ainda, questionam sobre atendimentos igualitários, resolutivos, livres de preconceitos e assistência humanizada.

Objetivo: conocer las demandas de cuidado en salud mental de jóvenes homoafectivos. Método: investigación cualitativa, realizada con 18 jóvenes homoafectivos, estudiantes universitarios, en Santa Catarina. La producción de información ocurrió en 2016, por medio de entrevista semiestructurada, con cuestiones sobre percepciones en relación a la propia salud mental, la homoafectividad y expectativas frente al cuidado de salud. La información se ha interpretado mediante análisis de contenido. Resultados: se identificaron vulnerabilidades individuales, sociales y programáticas de los jóvenes homoafectivos, que pueden interferir en la salud mental, llevándolos a buscar apoyo profesional. Se han reportado debilidades de los servicios de salud para este cuidado. Consideraciones finales: los jóvenes homoafectivos experimentan situaciones de vulnerabilidad, habiendo demandas de atención que son descuidadas en los servicios de salud. Carecen de innovaciones, sobre todo en salud mental, ya que sufren agresiones, opresiones y estigmas, que colaboran para el uso de drogas. Aún, cuestionan sobre atenciones igualitarias, resolutivos, libres de prejuicios y asistencia humanizada.

Objective: to know the demands of mental health care of young homosexuals. Method: qualitative research, conducted with 18 young homoaffective, university students in Santa Catarina. The production of information occurred in 2016, through semi-structured interviews, with questions about perceptions regarding mental health, homoaffectivity and expectations regarding health care. The information was interpreted through content analysis. Results: individual, social and programmatic vulnerabilities of young homosexuals were identified, which can interfere with mental health, leading them to seek professional support. Weaknesses of health services for this care were reported. Final considerations: young homosexuals experience situations of vulnerability, with demands for care that are neglected in health services. They lack innovations, especially in mental health, since they suffer aggression, oppression and stigma, which contribute to drug use. Still, they question about equal care, problem-solving, free of prejudice and humanized assistance.

COVID-19: Implications for People with Chagas Disease.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic advances, it increasingly impacts those vulnerable populations who already bear a heavy burden of neglected tropical disease. Chagas disease (CD), a neglected parasitic infection, is of particular concern because of its potential to cause cardiac, gastrointestinal, and other complications which could increase susceptibility to COVID-19. The over one million people worldwide with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy require special consideration because of COVID-19's potential impact on the heart, yet the pandemic also affects treatment provision to people with acute or chronic indeterminate CD. In this document, a follow-up to the WHF-IASC Roadmap on CD, we assess the implications of coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of CD. Based on the limited evidence available, we provide preliminary guidance for testing, treatment, and management of patients affected by both diseases, while highlighting emerging healthcare access challenges and future research needs.

Demands for psychosocial support from communities vulnerable to natural disasters.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the demands for the psychosocial care of vulnerable communities in the Vale do Itajaí, Santa Catarina Methods: Qualitative research, multiple case study, through narrative interviews with health professionals in three municipalities, from January to May 2018. The analysis of the narratives followed a formal analysis of the text, structural description of the content, analytical abstraction, analysis of knowledge, and contrastive comparison. RESULTS: The described categories were: Meanings of the demands for support before the flood; Meanings of the demands during the occurrence of the disaster; Meanings of demands after the flood: psychosocial care; Meanings of the demands for monitoring the territory after the disaster. CONCLUSION: The identification of demands for mental health care after the disaster occurs through the search for health services, specific symptoms, and consequences of adapting to the recovery phase, such as migratory processes and temporary housing. The research contributes to the culture of care with a multiprofessional perspective in health care for the population affected by disasters.

Situación laboral de los egresados de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Cartagena / Employment situation of graduates from the University of Cartagena School of Dentistry

RESUMEN Introducción: El seguimiento de los egresados constituye una herramienta para obtener un diagnóstico del contexto donde se desenvuelven e inducir reflexión en las instituciones de educación superior. Objetivo: Identificar la situación laboral de los egresados de la Facultad de Odontologia de la Universidad de Cartagena entre los años 1990 a 1999. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo longitudinal retrospectivo. La población estuvo constituida por 517 egresados del programa de odontología en el periodo 1990-1999, y la muestra por 213. Se estudiaron variables como la distribución de los egresados según las características sociodemográficas, la situación laboral, la situación económica, y la relación de la situación laboral con las características sociodemográficas. Resultados: El 82,6 por ciento se encontraba ejerciendo la carrera, de los cuales el 68,5 por ciento se hallaba ubicado laboralmente en la región Caribe y el 73,2 por ciento laboraba en el sector privado. El 70,9 por ciento de los participantes contaba con un ingreso promedio mensual mayor de 2 000 000 de pesos. Con respecto a la dedicación laboral, el 49,8 por ciento invertía tiempo completo en la actividad desarrollada y el tipo de contratación al que pertenecía era término indefinido en el 40,4 por ciento. Conclusiones: A pesar de la gran oferta de odontólogos que existe en Colombia actualmente, la mayoría de los egresados evaluados se encuentran laborando en su carrera, lo que les proporciona ingresos económicos suficientes para poder cubrir sus necesidades(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Following up the employment situation of graduates is a tool useful to obtain a diagnosis of the context where they perform their professional activities and induce higher education institutions to reflect upon the subject. Objective: Identify the employment situation of graduates from the University of Cartagena School of Dentistry in the period 1990-1999. Methods: An observational retrospective longitudinal descriptive study was conducted. The study population was 517 dental professionals graduating in the period 1990-1999, from whom a sample of 213 was obtained. Among the variables analyzed were the distribution of graduates according to their sociodemographic characteristics, employment situation, economic situation and the relationship between employment situation and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Of the total sample, 82.6 percent were performing tasks related to their university studies. Of these, 68.5 percent had a job in the Caribe region and 73.2 por ciento in the private sector. The average monthly income of 70.9 percent of the participants was above 2 000 000 pesos. As to contractual conditions, 49.8 percent were hired full time and 40.4 percenthad an indefinite term contract. Conclusions: Despite the great offer of dentists in Colombia nowadays, most of the graduates evaluated have a job related to their studies, which provides them with sufficient economic means to meet their needs(AU)

Vaccination as a scheduled demand: a day in the life of users.

OBJECTIVES: to understand vaccination as a scheduled demand and access to this demand in a day in the life of health services, from the perspective of users. METHODS: holistic-qualitative multiple case study, based on the Quotidian Comprehensive Sociology, with 74 users from four health microregions of the Extended Western Region of Minas Gerais State. RESULTS: scheduling vaccination demand in a day in the life of services is compromised by the fragility in data record, by computerized systems underutilization and by the loss of the immunization tracking card, resulting in missed opportunities of immunization and unnecessary revaccinations. The Primary Health Care team's non-involvement also compromised access to this action. Final Considerations: there is a need for more effort to be dispensed with for the effective use of computerized systems and Permanent Education of professionals in order to take advantage of all the opportunities of orientations and referrals of users to the vaccination room.

Street market saleswomen: strategies for the recognition of health needs.

OBJECTIVES: to describe the strategies used by street market saleswomen to recognize their health needs. METHODS: qualitative research, based on the Human Needs Theory. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, with the participation of 15 street market saleswomen. Content Analysis was used to interpret the results. RESULTS: the following categories emerged: "Potentialities and challenges for addressing health needs", which reflect changes in attitudes and practices related to socially recognized behaviors as harmful, and changes in the work process; and "Popular practices in health care", which points out therapeutic alternatives for the resolution of health problems. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the therapeutic choices of street market saleswomen are geared towards meeting their perceived health needs. While the minority of these women recognize their more complex health needs to satisfy it, it is necessary to overcome barriers and limitations in an ongoing way in their lives.

Legal demands of the tiotropium bromide for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their financial impact for the State of Paraná, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the legal demands of tiotropium bromide to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: We included secondary data from the pharmaceutical care management systems made available by the Paraná State Drug Center. RESULTS: Public interest civil action and ordinary procedures, among others, were the most common used by the patients to obtain the medicine. Two Health Centers in Paraná (Londrina and Umuarama) concentrated more than 50% of the actions. The most common specialty of physicians who prescribed (33.8%) was pulmonology. There is a small financial impact of tiotropium bromide on general costs with medicines of the Paraná State Drug Center. However, a significant individual financial impact was observed because one unit of the medicine represents 38% of the Brazilian minimum wage. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the need of incorporating this medicine in the class of long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator in the Brazilian public health system.

Street market saleswomen: strategies for the recognition of health needs / Mujeres feriantes: estrategias para el reconocimiento de las necesidades de salud / Mulheres feirantes: estratégias para o reconhecimento das necessidades de saúde

ABSTRACT Objectives: to describe the strategies used by street market saleswomen to recognize their health needs. Methods: qualitative research, based on the Human Needs Theory. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, with the participation of 15 street market saleswomen. Content Analysis was used to interpret the results. Results: the following categories emerged: "Potentialities and challenges for addressing health needs", which reflect changes in attitudes and practices related to socially recognized behaviors as harmful, and changes in the work process; and "Popular practices in health care", which points out therapeutic alternatives for the resolution of health problems. Final considerations: the therapeutic choices of street market saleswomen are geared towards meeting their perceived health needs. While the minority of these women recognize their more complex health needs to satisfy it, it is necessary to overcome barriers and limitations in an ongoing way in their lives.

RESUMEN Objetivos: describir las estrategias utilizadas por las mujeres feriantes, para el reconocimiento de sus necesidades de salud. Métodos: pesquisa cualitativa, fundamentada en la Teoría de las Necesidades Humanas. Se colectaron los datos en entrevistas semiestructuradas. Participaron 15 mujeres feriantes. Se interpretaron los datos a través del análisis de contenido. Resultados: emergieron dos categorías temáticas: "Potencialidades y desafíos para el enfrentamiento de las necesidades de salud", que reflejan modificaciones de actitudes y prácticas relacionadas a comportamientos socialmente perjudiciales y cambios en el proceso de trabajo; y, "Prácticas populares en la atención a la salud", que apunta alternativas terapéuticas para la resolución de problemas de salud. Consideraciones finales: se concluyó que las selecciones terapéuticas de las feriantes se vuelcan al enfrentamiento de sus necesidades de salud percibidas, y, aunque la minoría de esas mujeres reconozca sus necesidades de salud más complejas, para satisfacerlas, hay que superar barreras y limitaciones continuamente en sus vidas.

RESUMO Objetivos: descrever as estratégias utilizadas por mulheres feirantes para reconhecimento de suas necessidades de saúde. Métodos: pesquisa qualitativa, fundamentada na Teoria das Necessidades Humanas. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com a participação de 15 mulheres feirantes. Para a interpretação dos resultados, utilizou-se a Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: emergiram as categorias temáticas: "Potencialidades e desafios para o enfrentamento das necessidades de saúde", que reflete modificações de atitudes e práticas relacionadas a comportamentos socialmente reconhecidos como prejudiciais, e mudanças no processo de trabalho; e "Práticas populares no cuidado à saúde", que aponta alternativas terapêuticas para a resolução dos problemas de saúde. Considerações finais: evidencia-se que as escolhas terapêuticas das feirantes são voltadas para o enfrentamento de suas necessidades de saúde percebidas. Embora a minoria dessas mulheres reconheça suas necessidades de saúde mais complexas, para satisfazê-la, é necessário superar barreiras e limitações de maneira contínua em suas vidas.

O que pessoas que usam drogas buscam em serviços de saúde? Compreensões para além da abstinência / What do people who use drugs look for in healthcare services? Understanding this issue beyond abstinence / ¿Qué es lo que las personas que usan drogas buscan en los servicios de salud? Comprensiones más allá de la abstinencia

Proposições de modificação da Atenção no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) às pessoas que usam drogas têm desconsiderado suas necessidades, demandas e expectativas. A partir de contribuições da Saúde Coletiva, buscou-se compreendê-las por meio de pesquisa qualitativa que envolveu entrevistas semiestruturadas, grupos focais e observação participante em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial-Álcool e Drogas (Caps-AD). Constatou-se que os usuários se dirigem aos serviços não apenas para interromper o consumo de drogas, mas também para reduzi-lo, para receber atenção em relação a comprometimentos orgânicos ou psíquicos, construir laços sociais, ter acesso a condições básicas de vida e conquistar autonomia. A pesquisa, ao ampliar as compreensões sobre as demandas, necessidades e expectativas das pessoas que usam drogas, apresentou contribuições para a análise e redefinição das práticas e do modelo de atenção adotados no SUS.(AU)

Proposals to modify the care provided for drug users in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) have not been considering their needs, demands and expectations. Based on contributions from Collective Health, our objective was to understand them by means of a qualitative research that involved semi-structured interviews, focus groups and participant observation at Alcohol and Drugs Psychosocial Care Centers (Caps AD). We found that users go to the services not only to interrupt drug use, but also to reduce it, to receive care for organic or psychological problems, to construct social bonds, to have access to basic life conditions, and to achieve autonomy. By amplifying the understanding about the demands, needs and expectations of people who use drugs, the research has contributed to the analysis and redefinition of the care practices and model adopted by SUS.(AU)

Las propuestas de modificación de la atención en el Sistema Brasileño de Salud (SUS) para las personas que usan drogas han desconsiderado sus necesidades, demandas y expectativas. A partir de contribuciones de la Salud Colectiva, se buscó comprenderlas por medio de una investigación cualitativa que envolvió entrevistas semiestructuradas, grupos focales y observación participante en Centros de Atención Psicosocial - Alcohol y Drogas (Caps AD). Se constató que los usuarios se dirigen a los servicios no solo para interrumpir el consumo de drogas, sino también para reducirlo, para recibir atención para comprometimientos orgánicos o psíquicos, construir lazos sociales, tener acceso a condiciones básicas de vida y conquistar autonomía. La investigación, al ampliar las comprensiones sobre las demandas, necesidades y expectativas de las personas que usan drogas, presentó contribuciones para el análisis y redefinición de las prácticas y del modelo de atención adoptados en el SUS.(AU)

Legal demands of the tiotropium bromide for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their financial impact for the State of Paraná, Brazil / Demandas judiciais do uso de brometo tiotrópio para o tratamento da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e o impacto financeiro para o Estado do Paraná, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the legal demands of tiotropium bromide to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods We included secondary data from the pharmaceutical care management systems made available by the Paraná State Drug Center. Results Public interest civil action and ordinary procedures, among others, were the most common used by the patients to obtain the medicine. Two Health Centers in Paraná (Londrina and Umuarama) concentrated more than 50% of the actions. The most common specialty of physicians who prescribed (33.8%) was pulmonology. There is a small financial impact of tiotropium bromide on general costs with medicines of the Paraná State Drug Center. However, a significant individual financial impact was observed because one unit of the medicine represents 38% of the Brazilian minimum wage. Conclusion Our study highlights the need of incorporating this medicine in the class of long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator in the Brazilian public health system.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar as demandas judiciais do brometo de tiotrópio para tratar a doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. Métodos Foram considerados dados secundários dos sistemas gerenciais de assistência farmacêutica, disponibilizados pelo Centro de Medicamentos do Paraná. Resultados Ações civis públicas e ações ordinárias, de procedimento comum, entre outras, foram as mais praticadas pelos pacientes para obter o medicamento. Duas Regionais de Saúde do Paraná (Londrina e Umuarama) concentraram mais de 50% das ações. Quanto à especialidade dos médicos prescritores, 33,8% eram pneumologistas. Verificou-se discreto impacto financeiro do brometo de tiotrópio nos gastos gerais com medicamentos pelo Centro de Medicamentos do Paraná. Entretanto, também houve relevante impacto financeiro individual, pois uma unidade do medicamento consome 38% do salário mínimo. Conclusão O estudo aponta para a necessidade de incorporação deste medicamento da classe broncodilatadores anticolinérgicos de longa duração, no Sistema Único de Saúde.

Time trends in demand for family planning satisfied: analysis of 73 countries using national health surveys over a 24-year period.

BACKGROUND: Universal access to family planning is key to extend its health and economic benefits worldwide. Our aim was to track progress in demand for family planning satisfied with modern methods (mDFPS) and its inequalities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Analyses were based on Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys carried out between 1993 and 2017 in 73 LMICs, using data for married women aged 15-49 years. We estimated trends in mDFPS coverage by country and world region and evaluated trends in wealth-based inequalities. The analyses pooling all countries together were stratified by wealth quintiles, area of residence and woman's age. mDFPS coverage in 2030 for each country was predicted using a linear model. RESULTS: Overall, mDFPS increased and poor-rich gaps narrowed. Eastern & Southern Africa showed an average increase of 1.5 percentage points (p.p.) a year, being the region with the fastest progress. West & Central Africa had an increase in mDFPS of 1 p.p. a year but current coverage is still below 40%. Generally, inequalities were reduced, except for West & Central Africa and Europe & Central Asia where almost no change was observed. The country with the fastest progress in mDFPS was Rwanda, with an increase of 5 p.p./y, while Timor Leste had the fastest reduction in absolute inequality, less 3.8 p.p./y. Inequalities by area of residence were reduced, but large gaps remain. A similar trend was observed for different age groups. If the current trend is not accelerated, 44 countries will not achieve universal coverage in mDFPS by 2030. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, mDFPS is increasing and inequalities are decreasing. However, progress is slow in some regions, especially West & Central Africa, where low coverage is combined with high levels of inequalities. Efforts to increase family planning coverage must be prioritized in countries where progress is slow or inexistent.

Palliative care in Brasil: present and future.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the human resources and services needed to meet the demand of the Brazilian population who would benefit from palliative care, based on the population growth projection for 2040. METHODS: Population and mortality estimates and projections were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Service needs were estimated based on literature data. RESULTS: The expected increase in the Brazilian population for 2000-2040 is 31.5%. The minimum estimate of patients with palliative care needs was 662,065 in 2000 and 1,166,279 in 2040. The staff required for each hundred thousand inhabitants would increase from 1,734 to 2,282, the number of doctors needed would increase from 4,470 to 6,274, and the number of nurses from 8,586 to 11,294, for the same period. CONCLUSION: The definition of a national strategy predicting the increasing palliative care needs of the population is necessary. The expansion of the support network for chronic and non-transmissible diseases is necessary, but the training of existing human resources at all levels of attention to perform palliative actions can be a feasible alternative to minimize the suffering of the population.

Palliative care in Brasil: present and future

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the human resources and services needed to meet the demand of the Brazilian population who would benefit from palliative care, based on the population growth projection for 2040. METHODS: Population and mortality estimates and projections were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Service needs were estimated based on literature data. RESULTS: The expected increase in the Brazilian population for 2000-2040 is 31.5%. The minimum estimate of patients with palliative care needs was 662,065 in 2000 and 1,166,279 in 2040. The staff required for each hundred thousand inhabitants would increase from 1,734 to 2,282, the number of doctors needed would increase from 4,470 to 6,274, and the number of nurses from 8,586 to 11,294, for the same period. CONCLUSION: The definition of a national strategy predicting the increasing palliative care needs of the population is necessary. The expansion of the support network for chronic and non-transmissible diseases is necessary, but the training of existing human resources at all levels of attention to perform palliative actions can be a feasible alternative to minimize the suffering of the population.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Estimar as necessidades de recursos humanos e serviços necessários para o atendimento de pacientes que se beneficiariam de cuidados paliativos a partir da projeção de crescimento da população brasileira até 2040. MÉTODO: As estimativas e projeções populacionais e de mortalidade foram obtidas nos dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística e do Sistema Único de Saúde. As estimativas de estrutura de serviços e recursos humanos foram realizadas a partir de dados da literatura. RESULTADOS: A expectativa de aumento da população brasileira entre 2000 e 2040 é de 31,5%. A estimativa mínima de pacientes com necessidades de cuidados paliativos foi de 662.065 em 2000 e é de 1.166.279 em 2040. O número de equipes necessárias para cada 100 mil habitantes passaria de 1.734 para 2.282 no mesmo período; o número de médicos foi de 4.770 para 6.274 e o número de enfermeiros necessários para atender as demandas dessa população foi de 8.586 para 11.294 nesse espaço de tempo. CONCLUSÃO: A definição de uma estratégia nacional prevendo a necessidade de cuidados crescentes da população se torna necessária. A expansão da rede de assistência a doenças crônicas e não transmissíveis se mostra necessária, porém a capacitação de recursos humanos já existentes em todos os níveis de atenção para desempenhar ações paliativas pode ser uma alternativa factível para minimizar o sofrimento da população.

Impact of Coming Demographic Changes on the Number of Adults in Need of Care for Hypertension in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa.

Over the coming decades, middle-income countries are expected to undergo substantial demographic changes. We estimated the consequences of these changes on the number of adults in need of hypertension care between 2015 and 2050 using nationally representative household-survey data collected in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa (N=770 121). To reflect unmet need for healthcare, we defined hypertension as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg regardless of treatment status. Using a mathematical disease projection equation, we calculated the change in the number of individuals in need of hypertension care in each country that was due to changes in population size, age composition, and age-specific prevalence under various epidemiological scenarios. If the current age-specific prevalence schedule of hypertension remains unchanged until 2050, demographic changes alone will increase the number of adults in need of hypertension care by 319.7 million individuals, ranging from a relative growth of 55% in China to 151% in Mexico. Even if the age-specific prevalence of hypertension is reduced by 25% by 2050 among adults aged ≥40 years, the number of individuals in need of hypertension care will still increase by 145.9 million individuals, with relative increases ranging from 16% in China to 88% in Mexico. Overall, our results suggest that coming demographic changes in middle-income countries will overpower even ideal prevention efforts. Middle-income countries will need to massively expand healthcare services for aging-related diseases, such as hypertension, if they are to meet the virtually inevitable future increase in care needs for these conditions.

The Impact of Increasing Surgical Capacity at a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Haiti.

BACKGROUND: St. Boniface Hospital (SBH) plays a critical role in providing safe, accessible surgery in rural southern Haiti. We examine the impact of SBH increasing surgical capacity on case volume, patient complexity, and inpatient mortality across three phases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review and geospatial analysis of all surgical cases performed at SBH between 2015 and 2017 were performed. Inpatient mortality was defined by in-hospital deaths divided by the number of procedures performed. RESULTS: Between February 2015 and August 2017, over 2000 procedures were performed. The average number of surgeries per week was 3.1 with visiting surgical teams in phase 1 (P1), 10.4 with a single general surgeon in phase 2 (P2), and 20.1 with two surgeons and a resident in phase 3 (P3). There was a six-fold increase in surgical volume between P1 and P3 and a significant increase in case complexity. The distribution of American Society of Anesthesiologists scores of 1, 2, 3, and 4 during P2 was 81.05%, 14.74%, 3.42%, and 0.79%, respectively, whereas in P3, the distribution was 68.91%, 22.55%, 7.70%, and 0.84%. Surgical mortality was 0%, 1.2%, and 1.67% across phases. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing resources and surgical staff at SBH allowed for greater delivery of safe surgical care. This study highlights that investing in surgery has a significant impact in regions of great surgical need.