Paediatric inguinal hernia repair (PIHR) is the most commonly performed operation worldwide. The incidence is up to 5% of term infants and 30% of preterm. It is widely considered a basic and essential procedure that should be available to all and yet is largely unavailable in SSA. Complicated inguinal hernias pose a threat to the life of the child and considerable morbidity, which could be avoided by timely management of what is otherwise a straightforward procedure. Infants are at greatest risk of delay; Zamakhshary found that waiting over 2 weeks for a PIHR doubled the risk of incarceration in this age group.