Development of a Unifying Target and Consensus Indicators for Global Surgical Systems Strengthening: Proposed by the Global Alliance for Surgery, Obstetric, Trauma, and Anaesthesia Care (The G4 Alliance)
Authors: Haider Adil , Scott John W. , Gause Colin D. , Meheš Mira , Hsiung Grace , Prelvukaj Albulena , Yanocha Dana , Baumann Lauren M. , Ahmed Faheem , Ahmed Na’eem , Anderson Sara , Angate Herve , Arfaa Lisa , Asbun Horacio , Ashengo Tigistu , Asuman Kisembo , Ayala Ruben , Bickler Stephen , Billingsley Saul , Bird Peter , Botman Matthijs , Butler Marilyn , Buyske Jo , Capozzi Angelo , Casey Kathleen , Clayton Charles , Cobey James , Cotton Michael , Deckelbaum Dan , Derbew Miliard , deVries Catherine , Dillner Jeanne , Downham Max , Draisin Natalie , Echinard David , Elneil Sohier , ElSayed Ahmed , Estelle Abigail , Finley Allen , Frenkel Erica , Frykman Philip K. , Gheorghe Florin , Gore‐Booth Julian , Henker Richard , Henry Jaymie , Henry Orion , Hoemeke Laura , Hoffman David , Ibanga Iko , Jackson Eric V. , Jani Pankaj , Johnson Walter , Jones Andrew , Kassem Zeina , Kisembo Asuman , Kocan Abbey , Krishnaswami Sanjay , Lane Robert , Latif Asad , Levy Barbara , Linos Dimitrios , Linz Peter , Listwa Louis A. , Magee Declan , Makasa Emmanuel , Marin Michael L. , Martin Claude , McQueen Kelly , Morgan Jamie , Moser Richard , Neighbor Robert , Novick William M. , Ogendo Stephen , Omigbodun Akinyinka , Onajin‐Obembe Bisola , Parsan Neil , Philip Beverly K. , Price Raymond , Rasheed Shahnawaz , Ratel Marjorie , Reynolds Cheri , Roser Steven M. , Rowles Jackie , Samad Lubna , Sampson John , Sanghvi Harshadkumar , Sellers Marchelle L. , Sigalet David , Steffes Bruce C. , Stieber Erin , Swaroop Mamta , Tarpley John , Varghese Asha , Varughese Julie , Wagner Richard , Warf Benjamin , Wetzig Neil , Williamson Susan , Wood Joshua , Zeidan Anne , Zirkle Lewis , Allen Brendan , Abdullah Fizan 
Published: May 2017

After decades on the margins of primary health care, surgical and anaesthesia care is gaining increasing priority within the global development arena. The 2015 publications of the Disease Control Priorities third edition on Essential Surgery and the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery created a compelling evidenced‐based argument for the fundamental role of surgery and anaesthesia within cost‐effective health systems strengthening global strategy. The launch of the Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma, and Anaesthesia Care in 2015 has further coordinated efforts to build priority for surgical care and anaesthesia. These combined efforts culminated in the approval of a World Health Assembly resolution recognizing the role of surgical care and anaesthesia as part of universal health coverage. Momentum gained from these milestones highlights the need to identify consensus goals, targets and indicators to guide policy implementation and track progress at the national level. Through an open consultative process that incorporated input from stakeholders from around the globe, a global target calling for safe surgical and anaesthesia care for 80% of the world by 2030 was proposed. In order to achieve this target, we also propose 15 consensus indicators that build on existing surgical systems metrics and expand the ability to prioritize surgical systems strengthening around the world.