Grant: Project Grant - Priority Announcement: Global Health Research - IPPH

In many parts of South Asia, girls face significant challenges in accessing surgical care compared to boys. Cultural factors, such as a preference for male children, limited numbers of female healthcare providers, and societal norms that restrict women's decision-making in healthcare, contribute to these disparities. Families with limited financial resources often prioritize healthcare for boys over girls, further deepening this inequality. Research from countries like India and Vietnam has shown that boys are more likely to receive necessary medical treatments than girls. However, there is little information about how these gender disparities specifically affect access to surgical care for children in this region. This project aims to explore how gender influences access to surgical care for children in South Asia and to develop strategies to address these inequities. The study will focus on three key areas: measuring delays in accessing surgical care for boys and girls, understanding the experiences of families and healthcare providers regarding these disparities, and working with local communities to design solutions tailored to their needs. The research will be conducted at hospitals in India and Pakistan. It will involve surveys of families whose children require surgery to identify delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving care. Interviews with families and healthcare professionals will help uncover the reasons behind these delays. Finally, the findings will be shared with local communities, who will collaborate with researchers to create practical solutions to improve access for all children. By raising awareness of gender-based barriers in pediatric surgical care and co-developing interventions with communities, this study hopes to ensure that both boys and girls have equal opportunities to receive life-saving surgical treatments.