Abstract
BACKGROUND: Global surgery (GS) aims to improve access to timely, quality, and affordable surgical care worldwide, yet it remains underrepresented in public health education. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study assessed the awareness and knowledge of GS among 242 public health professionals. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data collected via a self-structured questionnaire using SPSS 25 revealed significant gender and age diversity, with the majority being young professionals (76.4% aged 20-29). Most participants (71.5%) held a master's degree, and 55% had 1-5 years of public health experience. While 60% were familiar with the term "Global Surgery," a considerable portion lacked a comprehensive understanding. Participants emphasized the need to integrate GS into public health curricula through faculty development, practical training, scholarships, and research collaborations. CONCLUSION: These strategies aim to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance the role of surgical care in global health. Despite being essential for addressing a significant portion of the global disease burden, surgical care remains inaccessible to many in LMICs due to systemic barriers. This study underscores the importance of fostering international partnerships and promoting a multidisciplinary approach to improve surgical care access, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes globally.