About SAFE Surgery
SAFE Surgery was founded in 2024 through a partnership of U.S. and Ugandan professionals who believe that all people have the right to safe, accessible, fast, and equitable surgical care. Our model builds off the work of our predecessor organization, Safe Mothers, Safe Babies, and includes a comprehensive approach to the Three Delays that underly surgically-preventable mortality: (1) delays in making the decision to seek care, (2) delays in physically accessing a healthcare facility, and (3) delays in the provision of quality surgical care by appropriately trained staff equipped with the right equipment and supplies. We take a community-based approach to implementing our programs wherever possible, which we leverage alongside the expertise and dedication of a U.S. and Ugandan medical and public health professionals to raise the quality and accessibility of clinical care.
For more information about our programs, please see What We Do.
"Surgery is an integral, indivisible component of a properly functioning health system, and all people should have access to safe, high-quality surgical and anesthesia care with financial protection when needed. "
- The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery
Our Mission
Our mission is to ensure that all people have access to safe, accessible, fast, and equitable surgical care, regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, income, or location.
Our Vision
We envision a world where surgical care is accessible to everyone, everywhere, and where no one is denied life-saving or life-improving surgery due to financial, geographic, or systemic barriers. Our commitment is to create a future in which equitable access to safe and effective surgical treatment is a fundamental human right.
Our Values
Equity: We are committed to providing equal access to high-quality surgical care for all individuals, regardless of their economic status, geographic location, or background, ensuring that underserved populations in sub-Saharan Africa receive the care they deserve.
Collaboration and Social Accountability: We believe in the power of collaboration with local communities, healthcare professionals, governments, and other organizations. By working together—and being accountable to one another—we can leverage resources, share knowledge, and create sustainable solutions to improve health and survival.
Compassion and Respect: We approach each patient with empathy, understanding, and dignity. We prioritize whole-person patient-centered care, respecting cultural differences while ensuring that every patient receives the highest quality care.
Sustainability and Empowerment: Our focus is on creating lasting impact by empowering local healthcare workers through training, education, and support. We aim to build self-sufficient healthcare systems that continue to serve vulnerable populations long after our intervention.
