Preoperative waiting time and outcomes of non-traumatic emergency abdominal surgeries: Insights from a zonal referral hospital in northern Tanzania, a reference for health centers with similar capacities

•Non-traumatic abdominal surgical emergencies have a high global prevalence.•Timely interventions significantly influence treatment outcomes.•Institutional factors contribute to delays in surgical intervention.•Delayed interventions increase the likelihood of postoperative complications.•Maximizing healthcare system performance is crucial in reducing surgical delays.