Surgeons establish

By Charles WendoSURGEONS in eastern, central and southern Africa have formed a professional body to provide hands-on training in surgery. The move is expected to avert the severe shortage of surgeons in the region.The newly formed College of Surgeons of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) has its head office at the commonwealth regional health office in Arusha, Tanzania. Member countries include Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.Prof. Francis Omaswa, President of COSECSA, said the organisation would begin admitting candidates this year. Training is expected to take four years.Omaswa said anybody with a first degree in human medicine qualifies to join the training, but initial priority will be given to those who have specialised in surgery.Uganda has about 70 surgeons but needs at least 500. “In Uganda we should have at least two surgeons in every district hospital,” he said.ends