African hospitals could face a major disruption to child surgery as supplies of a key anaesthetic used for paediatric operations near an expiry in 2027, a charity warns. The alert says health facilities are likely to face steep new costs as they scramble to secure replacements and adjust procurement and treatment practices. The charity frames the issue as a developing “surgery crisis” because paediatric procedures depend on having reliable access to specific anaesthesia medicines and formulations. If the current anaesthetic is not replaced in time, some services may be delayed or affected, particularly in settings with limited negotiating power or constrained pharmacy and logistics systems. The report highlights that planning and budgeting are needed well in advance to avoid shortages, ensure continuity of care for children, and manage the transition to alternative options. Overall, the warning focuses on the looming supply problem and the associated financial pressure on hospitals across the region.