Celebrating Surgical Excellence in Burundi
A Recap of the Annual COSECSA Events.
A Landmark Event for African Surgery
The 25th COSECSA Scientific Conference and Graduation Ceremony was a "truly memorable event" hosted by the Surgical Society of Burundi (ABUC) in Bujumbura. As the largest institution in sub-Saharan Africa dedicated to surgical education, COSECSA brought together the global surgical community to focus on the 2025 theme: "Meeting the surgical needs in Africa through teaching and training". The event was made possible through the "tremendous support" of the Government of Burundi and the Ministry of Health.
Celebrating the Class of 2025
A major highlight of the week was the graduation of 135 candidates who successfully completed rigorous training in a diverse range of specialties. This milestone represents the dedication of professionals across East, Central, and Southern Africa.
• Specialties Represented: General Surgery, ENT, Urology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery, Orthopaedics, and Neurosurgery.
• Distinguished Guests: The ceremony was honored by the presence of His Excellency Prosper Bazombanza (Vice President of Burundi) and Her Excellency Dr. Lydwine Baradahana (Minister of Public Health), underscoring the vital role of surgical training in regional health services
Pre-Conference Workshops
Before the main conference, a series of 12 specialized workshops took place from November 24th to December 7th. These sessions provided "hands-on" training and covered critical subspecialties, including:
• Advanced Reconstructive Surgery and Microsurgery.
• Trauma Resuscitation in Kids and Neonatal Surgical Skills.
• Global Surgery and Surgical Research & Manuscript Writing. The workshops were a success due to strong local engagement and ownership, with Burundian faculty and organizers resolving logistical challenges to ensure the training was locally relevant.
Scientific Interchange and Global Networking
The conference served as a hub for scientific interchange, where experts shared knowledge and discussed innovations in surgery. It was also a vital time for:
• Coming Together: Teams that had previously worked only via Zoom finally met in person to share stories and strengthen professional bonds.
• Networking: Colleagues from different eras of their careers reconnected over lunches and dinners, fostering a "strong sense of community" among providers.
• High-Stakes Examinations: The official COSECSA exams were held at the CUBAHIRO International School and the Kamenge Military Hospital (HMK).
Looking Ahead: COSECSA 2026
As we celebrate the milestones achieved in Bujumbura, we look forward to the next chapter of surgical excellence. The 26th COSECSA Scientific Conference will be held in Malawi!
