Update for the Surgical Community: The Global Coalition for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – A Call to Action
Last year, InterSurgeon highlighted the work of the Global Coalition for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), an international alliance advocating for TBI to be formally recognised as a chronic and notifiable health condition. This policy shift is aimed at improving access to safe, timely surgical intervention, structured trauma systems, and long-term rehabilitation for patients worldwide.
As noted in The Lancet Neurology (2022), traumatic brain injury has the highest incidence of all common neurological disorders and represents a substantial global public health challenge1. For the surgical community, this translates into a sustained burden on emergency departments, operating theatres, intensive care units, and rehabilitation services—particularly in low- and middle-income countries where neurosurgical capacity remains limited.
Progress at the World Health Assembly
At the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in May 2025, the Coalition hosted a landmark side event that brought together patients, neurosurgeons, trauma specialists, policymakers, and global health leaders. The objective was clear: to elevate TBI from an acute surgical issue to a global systems priority requiring coordinated long-term policy action.
Key focus areas include:
- Formal recognition of TBI as a chronic condition
- Standardised national surveillance and reporting
- Strengthened trauma system development
- Expansion of neurosurgical and rehabilitation capacity
- Prevention strategies integrated into national health planning
Dr Tariq Khan, Chair of the Coalition, convenes regular international strategy meetings to advance these goals.
Movement Toward a WHO Resolution
The Coalition is actively pursuing a WHA resolution to institutionalise global recognition of TBI as a chronic and notifiable condition. Pakistan is serving as the lead sponsor, with current co-sponsors including Chile, Türkiye, Australia, and Norway. Responses are pending from the Ministries of Health in Togo and Canada.
The resolution is expected to be formally presented at WHA79 in May 2026. This event will include testimony from individuals living with TBI, reinforcing the long-term functional and socioeconomic consequences of injury beyond the operating room.
If adopted, such a resolution could significantly influence:
- National trauma and neurosurgical workforce planning
- Investment in critical care and rehabilitation infrastructure
- Data collection and benchmarking standards
- Research funding priorities
- Prevention policies (road safety, violence reduction, sports injury mitigation)
Expanding Global Surgical Partnerships
The Coalition now includes more than 30 organisations across all WHO regions, including InterSurgeon partner G4 Alliance and InterSurgeon members such as SBNS, Mercy Ships, FIENS, and Mission:BRAIN. InterSurgeon recently participated in the Coalition’s latest strategy meeting and encourages its surgical network to engage. The Coalition continues to seek:
- Additional Member State co-sponsors
- Endorsements from surgical and neurosurgical societies
- Supporting organisations across global surgery networks
A Call to Surgeons
TBI remains one of the most significant neurosurgical challenges worldwide and system-level advocacy is essential to improve long-term outcomes.
If you are able to support the Coalition’s efforts—whether through institutional endorsement, policy engagement, or expanding partnerships—your involvement could directly influence global trauma care policy.
If you can help, please contact Northwest School of Medicine click here
- Traumatic brain injury: progress and challenges in prevention, clinical care, and research. Andrew I R Maas, David K Menon, Geoffrey T Manley, Mathew Abrams, Cecilia Åkerlund, Nada Andelic et al. The Lancet Neurology 21No. 11p1004-1060. https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/traumatic-brain-injury-progress. Accessed 12th February 2026
