WHAT: Hosted by the government of Senegal and with the support of Mercy Ships, a meeting inviting 200 healthcare experts and colleagues and a summit with Ministers of Health will be held in order to connect key stakeholders on surgical safety and public health.

This two-day International Symposium will include the delivery of an assessment on the current state of surgical, obstetric, and anaesthetic care in Africa including gaps, prioritized targets, implementation strategies and investments within the 47 countries of Africa as defined by the WHO Regional Office for Africa. ​

This will be followed by a one-day Ministerial Summit and result in a proposal for a continental roadmap for strengthening access to surgical, obstetric and anaesthetic care in Africa by 2030. The event will feature a three-day programme with six high-level plenaries. Some sessions will be live-streamed with press availabilities.

WHO: ​ The Symposium is jointly organized by the Government of Senegal, Mercy Ships, the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Africa, the West African College of Surgeons, Smile Train and other partners. Attendees will include Ministers of Health, health experts and leaders representing global health institutions.

WHEN: Wednesday 4th May – Friday 6th May 2022

• May 4^th : 09h00 -10h00 Plenary Session – Live stream/ open for press ​
  • Co-Chairs: Professor Serigne Magueye MD, FWACS, Professor of Surgery / Urology (Senegal); President WACS & Hyppolite Kalambay ​ Medical Officer, Health Policies and Strategic Planning WHO Africa (DR Congo) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
• May 6^th: 09h00 – 11h00 Plenary Session – Live stream and open for press
  • Co-Chairs : Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi, VP and Regional Director Africa, Smile Train (Nigeria ) & Presidential Advisor Dr Serigne Diop (Senegal)
  • May 6^th: 18h45 – 19h00 Closing Ceremony – Live stream and open for press

WHERE: KING FAHD PALACE Route des Almadies

Register to join online sessions on the link below: ​ https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=680723&

LANGUAGE: ​English & French

DETAILS:
​Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those with limited access in the developing world. For more than 30 years, Mercy Ships has concentrated its efforts in Africa. In particular, Mercy Ships has focused efforts within West and sub-Saharan Africa where 93% of the population are deprived of access to safe surgical care.

For interviews / media requests please contact:

N’gonè Ngom -Coordinatrice Cellule Communication, Ministère de la Santé et de l’Action Sociale, Sénégal +221 775576284 (Senegal)

yasmina.bileoma@apo-opa.com – APO Senegal (Africa)

sandrine.gamaury@mercyships.org.uk – Mercy Ships Africa (International)