Ethics of Paediatric Surgery in Africa

Introduction A paediatric surgeon not only has the responsibility to care for the young and developing patient but equally has the duty to counsel and care for the concerned parents—and sometimes their broader family members, who all live within a very specific cultural milieu with its value systems and demands. Besides surgical skills, therefore, a paediatric surgeon needs to be aware of the psychological, cultural, and ethical issues involved with the care of patients and their families. At times, this can be quite challenging. Paediatric surgery has a long and interesting history of profound concern with providing quality of care and the many potential ethical dilemmas encountered. Old traditions as well as new technological developments can present with a quagmire of ethical dilemmas, and modern paediatric surgeons should be aware of these issues and have the cognitive and emotional maturity as well as the skills to carry out their duties in the most professional manner. This chapter can only be a very short introduction to some important ethical issues, concentrating on the often neglected African aspects.