Zim hosts COECSA International Congress
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Ellen Mlambo
MIRROR REPORTER
VICTORIA FALLS – Zimbabwe hosted the College of Ophthamology Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COECSA) 11th International Annual Congress in Victoria Falls for the first time last week.
COECSA is an expanding network of ophthalmologists currently with 12 member States including Zimbabwe.
COECSA member, Professor Rangarirai Masanganise told The Mirror in an interview that the objective of the conference was to bring together experts in the discipline to share knowledge, discuss issues and come up with solutions to challenges in everyday practice.
The event is to advance knowledge in eye care with regards to best practices.
The event which ran from Wednesday to Friday last week was hosted by the Ophthalmological Society of Zimbabwe (OSZ) in partnership with (COECSA) and it saw 500 delegates attending.
More than 12 countries attended and these include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia with speakers from UK, USA, Egypt and Canada, among others.
The theme of the Congress was “Leaving no one behind, Collaboration, Innovation, Collegiality”.
The annual event is organised by hosting member State in collaboration with COECSA executive committee.
Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora represented by Hwange District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Fungai Musinami was the guest of honour at the event.
Mombeshora said that it was a privilege for Zimbabwe to host the Congress.
The Ophthalmological Society of Zimbabwe team is led by Dr Orapelang Malemani who is the current president.
Major events at the Congress included scientific sessions, graduation and awards ceremony and COECSA president Gala dinner at Boma.
Six candidates from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Congo and Burundi who took the final clinical examinations at Sekuru Kaguvi Eye Unit in Harare last Sunday graduated at the event and were admitted to be COECSA members.
Awards included: Best Students, Best Scientific Presentation from Registrars, Best contributors to the Conference eg sponsorship, organization of conference and adjudication of presentations .
Prof Masanganise bagged an award for the adjudication of papers for presentations.
