Strengthening Surgical Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa
Successes, Challenges, and the Ongoing Impact of COVID-19
On June 3 at 15:00 - 16:30 GMT, join the Smile Train-Lifebox Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiative for a discussion on surgical and anesthesia systems strengthening in Sub-Saharan Africa in the context of COVID-19. Chaired by renowned pediatric anesthesiologist Dr. Zipporah Gathuya, this event will feature perspectives from surgical, anesthesia, and nursing leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa and around the globe.
Audio available in English, French, Portuguese, Swahili, and Amharic.
Chair: Dr. Zipporah Gathuya
Dr. Zipporah Gathuya, is Pediatric Anesthesiologist and a member of Smile Train's African Medical Advisory Council. She has 15 years of experience both in the public and private health sector and has served on the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists (WFSA) Pediatric Anesthesia Committee. She is involved in the roll out of the WFSA Safer Anesthesia from Education program (SAFE- Peds).
Dr. Gathuya serves as the Secretary on the leadership committee for the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery and oversees the Anesthesia Working Group. She has volunteered for medical/surgical charities for children in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Peru. As a Senior Volunteer at St. John Ambulance Kenya, she directs First Aid training for communities in Kenya. She was awarded a Head of State Commendation by the President of Kenya for her work in advancing Kenyan pediatric anesthesia practices, and was instrumental in initiating the Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship program at the University of Nairobi, the first of its kind in East and Central Africa. As a global health specialist, Dr. Gathuya's research and policy interests include education and training in anesthesia, patient safety, access to safe surgery and anesthesia in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
Professor Kathryn Chu
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Kathryn Chu is a colorectal surgeon and has been based in Africa full time since 2007 when she joined Medecins Sans Frontieres as a surgeon and advisor. She is currently the Director for the Centre for Global Surgery and Professor of Global Surgery in the Department of Global Health at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. She is the global surgery representative to the executive council of the Association of the Surgeon of South Africa. She is the founding member of AfroSurg, a Southern African initiative to improve surgical access in the region; a member of the Southern African Development Community NSOAP Task Team and the South African NSOAP Task Team.
Professor Miliard Derbew
King Faisal Hospital, Rwanda
Professor Miliard Derbew is Chief Executive Officer of King Faisal Hospital, Rwanda’s largest referral hospital and Professor of Pediatric Surgery at the College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University. He is also a principal investigator for the Medical Education Partnership Initiative Junior Faculty project for Ethiopia. He has also served as President of the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) and the Surgical Society of Ethiopia. Professor Derbew is a Board Member of the non-profit Lifebox Board.
Dr. Jane Odubu Fualal
Vice-President, COSECSA
Dr. Fualal is a Senior Consultant Surgeon at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda. She is past president of the Association of Surgeons of Uganda, current COSECSA Treasurer and member of the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons.
Dr. Elizabeth Namugaya Igaga
Makere University, Uganda
Dr. Igaga is a Ugandan anesthesiologist and a lecturer at the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. She attended medical school an completed her Master’s at Makerere University. She currently does her clinical practice at the Uganda Heart Institute. Elizabeth is currently the treasurer of the Association of Anesthesiologists of Uganda (AAU), a member of the Intensive care society of Uganda (ICSU) and a foundation fellow of the College of Anesthetists of East, Central and Southern Africa (CANECSA).
Dr. Bertille Ki
Anesthesiologist, Burkina Faso
Dr. Ki is an anesthesiologist at Charles de Gaulle pediatric teaching hospital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Jane Wairimu Ngige
Smile Train Program Director, East Africa
Jane Ngige joined Smile Train as a Program Assistant in 2008 and now serves as Director for East Africa. In her current role, Jane is in charge of supporting 80+ partnerships in 10 countries in the provision of safe, quality cleft care. Since she joined Smile Train, Jane has successfully arranged and ran multiple cleft care and education/training programs that have had tremendous impact in both treatment accessibility, and safety & quality of care provided in the region. She has also built hundreds of relationships that have helped further support Smile Train’s vision to ensure every child born with a cleft can lead a full and productive life.
Jane completed her Bachelor of Science Degree at Kenyatta University followed by a Grants Management course at Strathmore University. Prior to joining Smile Train, Jane briefly worked with the Sports Stadia Management Board in Kenya and also volunteered at an institution providing formal education to underprivileged adults.
Comrade Lawal-Aiyedun Olubunmi
CEO, Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Care Foundation (SBH) and MARCH Care Initiative (MCI), pediatric nurse, Nigeria
Comrade Lawal-Aiyedun Olubunmi has more than 20 years’ experience as a Nurse specialized in pediatric nursing and nutrition. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Care Foundation (SBH) and MARCH Care Initiative (MCI). She is the pioneer of Birth Defect Surveillance in Nigeria and also served as the first and immediate Past President of the National Association of Nigeria Pediatric Nurses (NANPAN), leading her to represent Nigerian nurses both nationally and internationally. As a Nurse Leader, Comrade Lawal-Aiyedun Olubunmi is focused on innovative ways of expanding Pediatric Surgery.
Smile Train-Lifebox Safe Surgery and Anesthesia Initiative