Specialized Surgical Platforms

The burden of surgical interventions falls on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) primarily from the charitable sector which provides both temporary surgical delivery platforms and specialty surgical hospitals. Temporary platforms consist chiefly of short-term surgical missions which may use self-contained mobile facilities, sometimes on ships. Effectiveness data for specialized surgical hospitals are limited and come primarily from ophthalmologic and fistula centers. These long-term platforms are also able to provide for some of the unique needs faced by patients with more complex conditions. Any cost-effectiveness analysis needs to factor in the volunteer unpaid nature of medical staff in temporary settings.