Global Health and Access to Healthcare: The University of Milan’s Commitment

An international discussion on global surgery, equity in access to healthcare, and the challenges facing health systems in resource-limited settings took place during the conference "Global Surgery: Equity, Access, and Innovation in Surgical and Perioperative Care". The event was organised by the University of Milan, with the support of Daniele Dondossola, Professor of General Surgery at the University of Milan, and Antonio Pesenti, Emeritus Professor of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at the University of Milan. The conference was held on Tuesday, 26 May, in the Great Hall of the "Luigi Devoto" Occupational Medicine Clinic.

The conference was opened by Paola Catenaccio, Vice Rector for Internationalisation at the University of Milan, and Francesco Blasi, Vice Rector for Relations with the Italian National Health Service. It was also attended by Stefania Recalcati, the University’s Delegate for International Health Cooperation and Professor of General Pathology. The event featured Emmanuel Malabo Makasa as a distinguished guest and leading figure in global surgery, Professor of Global Surgery and founder of the University of the Witwatersrand Regional Collaboration Centre for Surgical Healthcare Improvement (WitSSurg), part of the Southern African Development Community. His presentation offered a unique perspective on the clinical and organisational challenges associated with the burden of untreated surgical conditions in low- and middle-income countries.

The event also brought together experts from the University of Milan and professionals engaged in international health cooperation. In-depth discussions addressed topics including anaesthesia and intensive care, perioperative infections, university education, and the involvement of younger generations in global health. Among the contributors were the coordinators of the University of Milan’s Centre for Multidisciplinary Action for Global Health (MAGH): Professor Fabrizio Tediosi, Coordinator of the vocational master’s programme in Global Health, and Professor Andrea Gori, Director of the Regional Centre for Infectious Diseases (CeReMi). Their contributions provided valuable insights into the challenges and future of global health.

The event provided an opportunity to foster multidisciplinary dialogue aimed at promoting innovation, international collaboration, and the development of more equitable and sustainable models of care. These principles also underpin the Policy Framework for Just and Inclusive Collaborations and Partnerships in Global Health, drafted by a working group led by the MAGH Centre, and the Decalogue of Ethical Collaboration in Global Health, both of which were presented to the University’s Academic Senate last November. Together, these documents establish the principles, values and guidelines governing all of the University’s international collaborations in healthcare. 

"This initiative stems from the awareness that the major challenges of our time – from pandemics and climate change to health inequalities and antimicrobial resistance – require international cooperation, shared responsibility, and partnerships built on strong ethical, scientific, and institutional foundations," explained Professor Stefania Recalcati.

Among the key principles set out in the Decalogue are the joint design of initiatives, shared leadership, tackling inequalities and power imbalances, mutual capacity strengthening, environmental stewardship, and the adoption of a One Health approach, which recognises the interdependence of human, animal, and ecosystem health. Furthermore, the document marks an important step in the University’s internationalisation strategy and reinforces the University of Milan’s role as an institution committed to building responsible, inclusive global partnerships focused on achieving meaningful social impact.