The unmet needs for surgical care are widely reported. It is recognized that up to 5 billion people have limited or no access to basic surgical needs. These populations are primarily located in the sub-Saharan region and southeast Asia. According to a report by the World Health Organization, workforce shortage is more critical than infrastructure problems. Training and retaining surgical and anesthesia workforce is a priority for all countries in the sub-Saharan region. The West African College of Surgeons (WACS) and the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) are leaders in the training and credentialing of the surgical workforce in their respective regions. In this broadcast we will learn about the history of these two surgical societies and the provision of surgical care. Women in surgery represent <10% of the surgeons in the region. We will explore the strategies to increase the number of women surgeons. Then the panel will discuss what the role of surgical associations in high-income countries, such as the American College of Surgeons, should be.
PROGRAM
Clinical Background
Welcome & Introduction - Dr. Steven D. Wexner (USA)
The role of COSECSA in developing the surgical workforce in the ECSA region - Dr. Godfrey Muguti (COSECSA, Zimbawe)
Women Surgeons in Africa, where do we stand? - Dr. Mumba Chalwe (Zambia)
Surgical Education and Credentialing: what did the pandemic teach us? - Dr. Abebe Bekele (COSECSA, Ethiopia)
History and the Role of West African College of Surgeons (WACS) in the provision of surgical care in the region - Dr. Emmanuel R. Ezeome (Nigeria)
Training surgeons in WACS region opportunities and Challenges - Dr. Akinyinka Omigbodun (Nigeria)
Anesthesia Provision in Low Resource Environments: Challenges and Opportunities - Dr. Bisola Onajin-Obembe (Nigeria)
Discussion and closing remarks moderated by Dr. Girma Tefera (USA)
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