Exploring Synergies Between National Mine Action Strategies and National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plans.

Abstract

National Mine Action Strategies (NMAS) and National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plans (NSOAPs) have emerged as two frameworks with potential to improve the health and safety of millions living in vulnerable communities through coordinated and systematic planning. NMAS describe strategies for eliminating explosive ordnance (EO) and providing services and support to EO victims. NSOAPs outline a strategy to enhance surgical systems through surgical, anesthesia, and obstetric capacity building, taking broad approaches spanning from individual health providers and facilities to country-level Ministry of Health governance and financing. Though NMAS and NSOAPs originate in different sectors, they both adopt a systemic approach to complex problems with population-wide effects in low-resource settings. While seemingly disparate plans, NMAS and NSOAPs share overlapping objectives and methods to achieve them, each centered around promoting population health at national levels through complex infrastructure, human capacity, and resources development. NMAS and NSOAPs both encounter similar objectives, challenges, and implementation considerations which could benefit from improved communication and coordination between these communities. Analyzing the strengths and criticisms of current NMAS and NSOAPs in light of one another can help to mutually strengthen and support these critically important strategic plans.