National surgical, obstetrics and anesthesia plan (NSOAP)

Surgery has rapidly emerged as an international health priority, and a National Surgical, Obstetrics and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP) is an important step towards the planning and delivery of essential surgical care for all nations. The development of these plans must be initiated and carried out by local teams with the help and support of international collaborators.

The Centre for Global Surgery (CGS) has been instrumental in supporting local teams and individuals leading the development of NSOAPs through the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) by facilitating and coordinating various key activities.

CGS was invited by the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change at Harvard Medical School, from the Blavatnik Institute for Global Health & Social Medicine, in recognition of its extensive expertise in implementing global health initiatives across Africa, Asia, and Western Europe. Additionally, CGS’s unique bilingual capabilities—rooted in its location in Quebec—enable it to provide specialized support to French-speaking countries, enhancing collaboration and communication.

Through strong partnerships with multiple stakeholders, CGS has contributed to advancing training and research efforts. Specifically, regarding NSOAP, CGS has developed and made available critical information and documentation exclusively in French to serve French-speaking countries.

Find all NSOAP related resources and materials in French here.