At a pivotal World Health Assembly (WHA) side event in Geneva, the non-governmental organizations Mercy Ships and Operation Smile commemorated a decade of leadership in global efforts to improve access to equitable surgical care. This event brought together global leaders, health ministers, and experts to celebrate progress, and confront the urgent challenges that remain in delivering safe, affordable surgical care to all.

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, MAY 9, 2025: A surgeon who has dedicated nearly 40 years to providing free, life-changing surgeries to African patients has been honored internationally for his remarkable service.

This year’s World Health Day theme, Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures, highlights the urgent need to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Around 300,000 women die due to pregnancy and childbirth complications each year, while millions of babies are stillborn and two million die within their first month of life. The crisis is most severe in low-income countries, where access to safe surgery is often out of reach due to financial and systemic barriers.