Patients undergoing surgery in Africa are more than twice as likely to die following an operation than the global average, researchers say.
But they say the most worrying revelation was just how few Africans have access to elective surgery - surgery that is scheduled in advance.
The number of these operations is 20 times lower than the demand, the study in the Lancet medical journal says.
They call the deficit a "silent killer".
Prof Bruce Biccard, a co-author of the study from the University of Cape Town, told The Guardian the main problem was a lack of medical staff to spot complications after the surgery.
"[The reason] that people do so terribly in Africa from a surgical point of view is that there are just no human resources," he said.
Post-surgery survival rates are lower in Africa than the global average despite patients there being younger and lower risk, the report says.
Patients in Africa also mostly undergo surgery that is "more minor" and have "fewer complications".
It was the largest study of its kind ever undertaken in Africa, conducted by 30 African researchers across 247 hospitals in 25 countries.
Latest Stories
-
I am excited about Pencils of Promise’s intervention projects – Ja Rule
10 minutes -
Mahama’s job approval hits 66%; signalling strong confidence in him – Global InfoAnalytics survey
15 minutes -
Presidency and Military ranked least perceived corrupt institutions in Ghana now – Global InfoAnalytics
21 minutes -
Police, Immigration, Judiciary ranked top 3 most corrupt institutions in Ghana – Global InfoAnalytics survey
28 minutes -
Bawumia leads NPP race with 48% of Ghanaians approval rate – Global InfoAnalytics
34 minutes -
68% of voters say Akufo-Addo caused NPP defeat – Global Info Analytics
46 minutes -
57% of NPP supporters prefer Bawumia to run for 2028 – Global InfoAnalytics
1 hour -
Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape after eight years in South African jail
2 hours -
Alcohol makes male fruit flies more attractive
2 hours -
UK to keep pushing for deal after Trump imposes 10% tariff
2 hours -
World leaders call Trump tariffs ‘wrong’ and ‘unjustified’
2 hours -
Trump to charge high tariffs on ‘worst offenders’ globally
2 hours -
GRA cracks down on E-Levy compliance: Strict monitoring and record-keeping mandated
3 hours -
Uefa to assess Chelsea accounts at end of season
3 hours -
Milan derby cup semi-final after first leg
3 hours