Din, Taseer

Background: Access to high-quality airway equipment is critical for effective otolaryngological and emergency care. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), challenges in the procurement infrastructure may hinder equipment availability, impacting patient outcomes. Given the paucity of literature investigating equipment procurement in SSA, this study aims to map out the multilevel barriers to procurement of airway equipment in SSA to inform opportunities for improvement. Methods: A qualitative study design was employed using semi-structured interviews and open-ended survey responses. Participants included otolaryngologists in SSA, manufacturing company representatives and international policymakers, selected through purposive sampling to ensure representation of various roles in the procurement process. Six interviews, one focus group and six survey responses with regional healthcare providers (n = 13), manufacturing representatives (n = 3) and international policymakers (n = 2) explored supply chain dynamics, regulatory challenges, manufacturing capabilities, financial constraints and policy frameworks. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurrent themes and interrelationships. Results: Systemic barriers exist in the procurement process, including fragmented supply chains, inconsistent regulatory enforcement, limited local manufacturing capacity and insufficient funding mechanisms. Otolaryngologists emphasised frequent delays in equipment availability, while manufacturers reported logistical challenges and regulatory hurdles. Policymakers noted gaps in infrastructure and regional coordination. Emerging themes suggest opportunities for streamlining procurement processes, fostering local production and enhancing collaboration to improve supply chain efficiency. Conclusion: This study underscores the multifaceted challenges in airway equipment procurement in SSA and highlights the need for integrated approaches involving stakeholders across the supply chain. Contribution: Findings provide actionable insights to inform policy development and capacity-building initiatives with the goal of enhancing access to life-saving airway equipment and improving healthcare outcomes.

ImportanceUnderstanding the global barriers to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (OHNS) care is crucial in addressing disparities in access to care, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectiveTo characterize barriers to comprehensive otolaryngology care across World Bank income groups.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsUsing an online cross-sectional survey that was administered by the Global OHNS Initiative via international and national professional societies, personal contacts, and social media, this study captured the perceptions of otolaryngologists regarding barriers to OHNS care at the levels of the country, health sector, clinician, and patient. Participants included otolaryngologists from the 194 World Health Organization member states and Taiwan. Eligibility criteria included a medical degree and specialized training in managing conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The nonresponse rate was not recorded. The data collection period spanned from October 2022 to June 2023.ExposuresExposures included World Bank income group classification.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcomes were Likert scale responses regarding frequency of barriers to OHNS care. The a priori hypothesis was that LMICs would report more frequent barriers to OHNS care.ResultsThe study involved 146 otolaryngologists (47 female individuals [32%]), with 69 (47%) from high-income countries and 77 (53%) from LMICs. Male individuals represented 45 high-income country respondents (65%) and 54 LMIC respondents (70%). Barriers were reported across income groups at all levels of the health system, with a higher frequency in LMICs. Several barriers were reported to be more substantial in LMICs, such as the national volume and distribution of otolaryngologists, financial compensation for clinicians, and patient stigma, and others were common across income settings, such as the availability of operating rooms and inflexible working hours. Common concerns included national and health sector barriers: OHNS workforce, referral networks, government support; clinician barriers: excessive clinician workloads, understaffing, poor administration support; patient barriers: distance to health care facilities, financial burdens such as medical costs and foregone wages, stigma, and health literacy.Conclusions and RelevanceThe results of this cross-sectional study suggest that there are barriers to otolaryngology care globally that affected all levels of the health care system. This work may inform prioritization of otolaryngology within research and policy, and it emphasizes the need for effective strategies to expand access to otolaryngology care, particularly in lower-income settings.

ABSTRACTImportanceHighlighting the global disparities in otolaryngology training and, ultimately, service delivery, emphasizing the need for equitable access to training resources and programs.ObjectiveTo describe the relationship between the quality, content, and location of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery training and education and the resulting impact on the delivery of otolaryngology care globally.DesignAn online cross‐sectional survey to otolaryngologists, gathering information on their training and education experiences, and factors influencing their choice of training location and practice.SettingThe online survey was available in multiple languages, distributed via national and international professional otolaryngology societies, snowballing and social media.ParticipantsThe respondents were practicing otolaryngologists representing all seven World Health Organization regions.ExposuresWorld Bank income groups classification.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOur expected outcome was that subspecialty training and access to educational resources were significantly readily available to respondents from high‐income countries, leading to more confidence in performing complex procedures post training.ResultsA total of 91 participants were included in the analysis, with 47 (52%) practicing in high‐income countries and 44 (48%) in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Sixty‐one participants (67%) were male. Subspecialty training and access to educational resources were significantly less available in low‐ and middle‐income countries, leading to lower confidence among low‐ and middle‐income countries physicians in performing complex procedures. High‐income country respondents reported better access to diverse training resources and felt more prepared for a broader range of procedures.Conclusion and RelevanceSignificant disparities exist in OHNS training resources and subspecialty training opportunities between high‐ and low‐middle‐income countries. There is a critical need to integrate complementary training and educational modalities into local systems. Addressing the shortage of educational resources and promoting open‐access initiatives in low‐middle‐income countries are essential steps toward enhancing surgical education and improving global otolaryngology healthcare outcomes.

ABSTRACT Objective Availability of surgical equipment and access to essential clinical services remains an important barrier to surgical care delivery, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This study aims to characterize the relative availability of essential equipment for otolaryngology‐head and neck surgery (OHNS) care across World Bank income groups. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional survey on otolaryngologists' perceptions on the availability of surgical equipment and ancillary services in their respective practice settings per a 5‐point Likert scale ranging from never to always available. The study was disseminated online via professional societies, personal contacts, and social media. Eligible participants included otolaryngologists from 194 WHO‐recognized countries, which were grouped by World Bank income group classification and WHO region. Results The study involved 146 otolaryngologists, 69 (47%) from high‐income countries (HICs), and 77 (53%) from LMICs. LMIC respondents were predominantly from the African and South‐East Asian regions, which comprised 48% and 7.8% of all LMIC respondents, respectively. Results revealed significant differences in the availability of otologic, rhinologic, and endoscopic airway equipment between HICs and LMICs. Differences existed among commonly used equipment such as tympanomastoidectomy equipment and rigid bronchoscopy, to subspecialized equipment such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery equipment and cochlear implants ( p < 0.05 each). Conclusions The study highlighted key disparities in the availability of essential equipment for baseline OHNS care, especially for pediatric airway and otologic conditions. These results can be used to guide investment and advocacy efforts to improve specialty‐specific surgical infrastructure relative to the global burden of OHNS diseases in low‐resource settings. Level of Evidence 3

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), home to over 1 billion people, has only one paediatric otolaryngology fellowship program and nine fellowship-trained paediatric Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) specialists covering seven countries. Seven of these specialists estimated an average of 40+ patients per month are in need of critical surgical airway management in their respective countries and that 2–25 deaths per year (mainly paediatric) occur in their country from lack of access to foreign body removal equipment. Investing in paediatric airway infrastructure and capacity would largely benefit the health system in SSA, where the current lack of equipment alone leads to unmeasured morbidity and mortality. As a region of the world with the largest paediatric populations, sub-Saharan Africa’s need is all the more pressing given the disproportionately low number of medical specialists, institutions and resources. Collaborative approaches in procurement and maintenance of high-quality, cost-effective equipment are crucially desirable factors in both low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). We, as the Global OHNS Initiative, urge for multi-stakeholder engagement and collaboration to forge lasting change.

Due to geographic‐specific patient and institutional‐related barriers to care, data extrapolation and expert opinion on global burden of disease in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery may under‐ or overestimate the presence and effect of common head and neck conditions. The group of conditions that fail to present to local physicians and/or missed in data extrapolation methods is the unseen burden of disease. This article presents opinions from otolaryngology–head and neck surgery physicians in high‐ and low/middle‐income countries to help explain the contributing factors and ultimately how to use this unseen burden of disease.