Exploring the landscape of bariatric surgery in Africa: Current provisions, challenges and future prospects

Abstract

This review explores the landscape of bariatric surgery provision in Africa, focusing on the current status, recent innovations, challenges, and future prospects. Despite the global acceptance of bariatric surgery, its integration in Low and Middle-Income Countries, particularly in Africa, remains underexplored. The editorial aims to bridge this gap by analysing the current provision, exploring challenges, and proposing interventions. While only 13 out of 54 African countries are members of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), active interest and innovation in bariatric surgery are evident, especially in North African nations like Egypt and South Africa. Economic evaluations in Tunisia highlight the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery, while research in Cameroon explores its feasibility in resource-limited settings. Studies in Egypt and South Africa address the short-term safety and efficacy of surgical procedures. Challenges include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, a shortage of trained professionals, economic constraints, and public misconceptions. Future prospects involve collaborative efforts for infrastructure development, targeted training programs, increased research funding, strategic awareness campaigns, research collaboration, and advocacy for clear guidelines. The paper aims to contribute to the understanding of bariatric surgery in Africa, emphasising the need for context-specific interventions to address the growing concern of obesity in the region.