• Hajar Nasir Tukur, Olivier Uwishema, Fatima Soufan, Ruth Girum Tamir, and Jack Wellington.
• Department of Research and Education, Oli Health Magazine Organization, 250, Kigali, Rwanda.
• Postgrad Med J. 2024 Nov 2.

IntroductionSignificant inequities exist in surgical care accessibility across marginalized African communities. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian groups are vital in supporting Africa's surgical infrastructure. This narrative review explores the current status of surgical care in Africa, highlighting NGO initiatives, past challenges, and future opportunities.MethodsA narrative review was conducted using PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, and other relevant organizational websites.ResultsOver 90% of patients in Africa lack access to proper surgical care due to funding shortages, inadequate resources, and a lack of skilled personnel. NGOs have addressed these gaps through successful initiatives, including fundraising and training, although past failures emphasize the need for clearer objectives and sustainable strategies.DiscussionFuture efforts should prioritize addressing cultural sensitivities, setting realistic goals, and leveraging telemedicine. NGOs and humanitarian organizations will remain critical to improving surgical care for underserved populations in Africa.© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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