Women in Surgery Africa (WiSA) is a membership group which provides support to female surgeons, surgeons in training and medical students in the 14 member countries of the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). Further details can be found on this webpage: http://www.womeninsurgeryafrica.org/
Current secretariat:
Chair - Dr. Agneta Odera
Vice chair - Dr. Mumba Chalwe
Secretary Gen. - Dr. Patricia Shinondo
Treasurer - Dr. Wairimu Ndegwa
Conference and education Officer - Dr. Busi Mlambo
Administration officer - Dr. Lydia Nanjula
Ms. Deepa Bose is a consultant in orthopaedic trauma and limb reconstruction at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Her practice is exclusively in adults, and includes general trauma, major trauma and post-traumatic limb reconstruction. She is Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee for Trauma & Orthopaedics in the UK, which advises on the curriculum and other matters pertaining to training. She is the Past Chairman of World Orthopaedic Concern UK, a specialist society of the British Orthopaedic Association, which focuses on teaching orthopaedics in low resource countries. She has been on the Emergency Response Team of UK Med, a first response team for international disaster relief, since 2012. She regularly participates in humanitarian projects in Guyana, Gaza and Ukraine.
Published
Dec 2025
Dr. Nozipo Maraire is Africa’s first Black female neurosurgeon. She studied Biology at Harvard University, earned her Medical Degree from Columbia University, and completed her neurosurgery training at Yale University, where she was only the second woman to finish the program. She was a recipient of CNS clinical fellowship awards, in the year 1998. She has worked for more than 30 years in brain health, wellness, and women’s leadership. In Zimbabwe, she helped introduce several neurosurgery techniques, including the first two-level total disk cervical replacement, intraoperative nerve monitoring, and kyphoplasty. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences around the world, and mentored many students and young doctors. She continues to host students from different countries who come to learn, shadow, or do research with her. Outside the hospital, Dr. Maraire is an author and entrepreneur. Her novel Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter became an international bestseller and a New York Times Notable Book, touching readers globally with its message on identity and womanhood. She is the founder of Mweya Green Energy companies, focused on clean energy access in Southern Africa. She also opened Cityzen Wellness Centre, which brings rehabilitation, brain-health services, and Zimbabwe’s first Brain Gym to local communities. Dr. Maraire is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgery, a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, and a member of the Surgical Society of Zimbabwe. She sits on the Executive Board of the Zimbabwe Association of Neurological Surgeons, where she chairs the Tariff Committee and serves as Scientific Chairperson. She has also served on various boards, including Old Mutual Life Assurance, UWC Atlantic, and the Beit Trust, and is the Chairperson of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. She has served on the executive board of Women in Neurosurgery. She comes from the Maraire family of musicians and activists, home to mbira legends Dumisani and Chiwoniso Maraire. She is married to urologist Dr. Allen Chiura, and they have raised four children.
Published
Nov 2025
Ms. Mudede-Moffat is a Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSESCA). She did her undergraduate medical training at the University of Malawi before completing her Orthopaedic surgical training in 2022 with COSECSA. She is the second-ever female Specialist Orthopaedic surgeon (out of the 3 females in her country, Zimbabwe) and, at qualification, was and still currently is the youngest surgeon in Zimbabwe. She is a Beit Scholar and holds a Masters in Orthopaedics and Trauma from the University of Edinburgh funded by the Caledonian grant. Currently; she is about to embark on a Fellowship in Major Trauma and Limb Reconstruction at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. She has a special interest in Orthopaedic Oncology and is currently doing a diploma with BOOS. Currently, she is the Chairperson of the Women in Surgery Africa (WISA). Ms. Mudede-Moffat is passionate about promoting women in surgery and has been a driving force in advocating for gender equality and empowerment within the field. She has used her position and influence to increase the surgical workforce in Africa, especially women and ultimately improving access to surgical care.
Published
Dec 2024
Dr. Sompwe L. Mwansa is a dedicated anaesthesiologist with extensive experience in adult and paediatric anaesthesia and critical care. She specialises in managing complex cases and is committed to mentoring and teaching others. Dr. Mwansa completed her Paediatric Anaesthesia Training in Africa (2022-2023) at the University of Zambia and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists. She holds a Master of Medicine in Anaesthesia and Critical Care (2014-2018) from the University of Zambia and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (2004-2010) from the University of the Witwatersrand. Since November 2023, Dr. Mwansa has served as a Consultant Anaesthesiologist and Critical Care Specialist, providing services in theatres, Intensive Care Units, and remote areas. She supervises registrars, teaches students, and develops Continuous Medical Education activities. Previously, she was a Paediatric Anaesthesiology Fellow (2022-2023) and has held positions at Ndola Teaching Hospital and the University Teaching Hospital. Dr. Mwansa has been involved in academic roles, including Programme Coordinator at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University and Curriculum Developer at Lusaka Apex Medical University. She is an active member of the Resident Doctors' Association of Zambia, Zambia Medical Association, and the Society of Anaesthetists of Zambia. She has chaired annual conferences for the Society of Anaesthetists of Zambia and holds certifications in various areas of anaesthesia and critical care.
Published
Aug 2024
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