Emergency and essential surgical services in Afghanistan: still a missing challenge.

Background: In Afghanistan, the number of surgically amenable injuries related to civil unrest and ongoing conflict or consequent to road traffic accidents, trauma, or pregnancy-related complications is rising and becoming a major cause of death and disability. This study was designed to evaluate availability of basic lifesaving and disability-preventive emergency surgical and anesthesia interventions representing most of the country.

Methods: Evaluation was performed outside Kabul to represent a cross-section of the country.