Mercy Ships South Africa Engages at COSECSA Conference to Strengthen Surgical Care Across Africa
The College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) is the largest surgical training institution in Sub-Saharan Africa. It delivers a unified surgical training program, a common examination, and an internationally recognized surgical qualification. COSECSA currently operates in 14 Member Countries and collaborates with 10 Partner Countries, playing a vital role in building surgical capacity across the region.
Mercy Ships South Africa at COSECSA
This year, the South African office of Mercy Ships attended the COSECSA Conference, a key event for surgical education and collaboration in Africa. Representing Mercy Ships were Brenda van Straten (National Director) and Louise Ruthven-Smith (Recruitment Coordinator), who actively engaged with attendees throughout the event.
Their participation created opportunities to:
- Connect with surgical trainees and trainers from across Sub-Saharan Africa, including program directors, senior surgeons, and medical educators.
- Network with healthcare leaders and policymakers who influence surgical training and capacity-building initiatives.
- Explore partnerships with hospitals and training institutions for future volunteer placements and collaborative projects.
- Share Mercy Ships’ mission of providing free, life-changing surgeries and training local professionals to strengthen healthcare systems.
Why This Matters
The COSECSA Conference is more than a gathering—it’s a platform for shaping the future of surgical care in Africa. For Mercy Ships, this engagement opens doors to:
- Recruitment Opportunities: Raising awareness among surgical professionals about volunteering with Mercy Ships.
- Training Collaborations: Exploring ways to integrate Mercy Ships’ surgical training programs with COSECSA’s curriculum.
- Strategic Partnerships: Building relationships with ministries of health and hospital administrators for joint initiatives.
- Advocacy and Visibility: Positioning Mercy Ships as a key partner in advancing surgical care and education across Africa.
Looking Ahead
Mercy Ships remains committed to bringing hope and healing to those who need it most. By partnering with organizations like COSECSA, we aim to strengthen surgical capacity and create sustainable impact across the continent.