New Publication Highlights Global Impact of SURGhub
The first peer-reviewed report on the United Nations Global Surgery Learning Hub (SURGhub), has been published in the World Journal of Surgery.
The paper was published in the World Journal of Surgery.
The first peer-reviewed report on SURGhub has been published in the World Journal of Surgery, marking a major milestone in the platform’s mission to close critical gaps in surgical education worldwide. With more than 19,000 users in over 185 countries, SURGhub is rapidly becoming a vital resource for surgical and perioperative professionals, especially in low-resource and conflict-affected settings.
An editorial accompanying the publication was co-authored by Nikhil Seth, former UN Assistant Secretary-General, and Geoff Ibbotson, Executive Director of the Global Surgery Foundation. They emphasise the strategic importance of SURGhub in building global health equity.
Addressing a Global Shortage in Surgical Training
Surgical care is the most neglected gap in global health. Two-thirds of the world’s population lacks access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical services. One major cause is the global shortage of trained professionals—surgeons, anaesthetists, obstetricians, and perioperative nurses. In many low- and middle-income countries, opportunities for professional development remain scarce, outdated, or inaccessible.
SURGhub was created to meet this challenge head-on. Launched in June 2023 as a free, open-access e-learning platform, it provides quality-assured educational content to healthcare professionals working in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Highlights
Over 100 courses contributed by 27 global organisations
Supported by 200+ volunteer experts for content governance and review
Most learners come from low- and middle-income countries, with more than 1,700 users in conflict-affected countries, including DRC, Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and Palestine
The platform is intentionally designed for inclusivity and simplicity. As one learner shared, “It’s like having a TV and using a remote to go from one program to another without getting tired and always being able to see more.” Another reflected, “Before SURGhub, I used Google to find new courses but was often disappointed because the materials were not complete.”
More feedback underscores the value of the content: “where was this platform when I was a resident? When I was struggling? - there was nothing to guide me then (...) I didn’t know where to find readings and references”.
Future priorities
And this is only just beginning. In coming years, the team aims to:
Expand the volume and diversity of content
Develop personalised learning pathways
Increase the availability of non-English resources
Strengthen data on clinical and patient outcomes
Collaboration remains key. Continued financial investment, volunteer engagement, and institutional support will be critical to scale SURGhub’s impact and ensure it transforms surgical education at the system level.
Get involved
SURGhub is free and easy to access. Healthcare professionals, educators, and institutions are encouraged to explore the platform and consider contributing to its growth. Opportunities to support SURGhub include:
Enrolling to experience the platform firsthand
Sharing information with colleagues and networks who may benefit
Providing e-learning content or volunteering for content review
Becoming a funding partner
Visit 👉 www.surghub.org to learn more and get involved.
SURGhub is an initiative of the Global Surgery Foundation and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), supported by RCSI, in association with the Johnson & Johnson Foundation.
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