* To be held on August 29 at the Lilongwe Golf Club ahead of the College of Surgeons Scientific Conference scheduled for November 27 to December 4
* Whose budget is at US$750,000 (MK1.4 billion) to cater for all coordinated planning logistics for the expected over 1,500 participants
* Surgeons save lives — I will tee it up in honour of all surgeons—High Commissioner Bisika
By Duncan Mlanjira
Dr. Thomas John Bisika, who has just honourably completed his tour of duty to the Court of St. James’s as the Malawi High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has hit the ground running in serving his country further back home by joining the fundraising golf tournament towards the hosting of the Scientific Conference of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA).
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Scheduled from November 27 to December 4 — under the theme; ‘Surgery in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance’ — the budget for the Scientific Conference is at US$750,000 (approximately MK1.4 billion) to cater for all coordinated planning logistics for the expected over 1,500 participants.
Thus — while appealing for sponsorship support from the corporate world and all stakeholders the host, Surgical Association of Malawi is indulging itself in fundraising activities.
The golf tournament is one of them and in accepting to participate for the noble cause, Dr. Bisika says: “Surgeons save lives. This is what makes their job both challenging and interesting.
“I will tee it up in honour of all surgeons,” says the High Commissioner, an ardent golfer, who completed his tour of duty in UK with a round of golf on July 17, 2026 in the Parliamentarians vs Diplomats tournament at Wentworth Golf Club in London.
Malawi and South Africa High Commissioners arrive on electric golf buggy for tee off at Wentworth Golf Club in London
Others who have been confirmed include top corporate executive, William Nuka Snr. who says: “Surgeons spend hours on end in the operating theatre yet they maintain a composed demeanor whilst dealing with complex situations. I salute you! I will, therefore, tee off with you for this good cause.”
Business journalist, Thomas Mphulira Chafunya says: “I am a beneficiary of God’s mercy through surgeons’ work and compassion that save my life from multiple injuries following a fatal road accident that claimed my friend’s life.
“I will tee off for this deed,” says Chafunya, while Dr. Collins Mitambo says: “It’s a great opportunity to support the Surgical Association of Malawi, promote collaboration among colleagues and contribute to an initiative that strengthens the surgical community in Malawi. Looking forward to a great day on the course.”
Golfers has always admirably supported many charity causes every time they are called upon to participate in several sectors of the economy that need interventions — including education needs for the underprivileged.
For this important fundraiser — under the theme; ‘Swing for a Cause’ — the Surgical Association of Malawi has posted several flyers carrying testimonies amplifying why the surgical medical personnel chose this path to serve humanity better.
Under the banner, introducing the next generation of surgeons, they include Dr. Picha Msowoya of Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), who says: “As a female, choosing orthopaedics was about challenging stereotypes and proving that excellence has no gender.
“Orthopaedics has traditionally been a male dominated specialty, and I was drawn to the opportunity to break barriers and inspire other women to pursue careers they are passionate about, regardless of societal expectations.
“Orthopaedics is more than a career for me; it is an opportunity to challenge limits, create change, and leave a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and communities.”
Dr. Estifanos Bafa Babulo of Malamulo Hospital in Makwasa says: “I am called to the general surgery because Africa needs surgeons who are willing to serve where the need is greatest.
“It is one of the broadest and most essential specialties, addressing a large proportion of the conditions that bring patients to hospitals.
“I operate with my hands, serve with my heart, and remain committed by providing compassionate surgical care to those most in need.”
To be held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), the organisers say the theme was chosen to highlight the growing regional challenge of drug-resistant infections in surgical care and to focus on improving safe surgical protocols, infection prevention, and patient outcomes across Africa.
The event will feature council & examiners’ meetings, specialist examinations, results deliberations, graduation, the AGM, scientific presentations and professional networking.
COSECSA, a non-profit regional institution established in 1999, provides internationally recognised surgical training through a common curriculum and standardised examinations across East, Central and Southern Africa.
This is the second time in a decade Malawi is hosting the event, whose first was in 2016 and Malawi Surgical Association state that “since then, the country’s footprint in surgical education has expanded significantly”.
They include COSECSA accrediting seven Malawi hospitals; its 43 trainers and more than 80 surgeons, who have graduated through COSECSA-linked training.
Sponsorship tiers range from Copper (MK 1.5 million) up to the Diamond Anchor sponsor level of MK25 million, say the organisers’ fundraising chairperson, Dr. Vanessa Msosa, who can be be reached on +265 999 236 716; email:
fundraising.cosecsa2026@sam.mw or https://www.sam.mw/.
For sponsorship and participation details, stakeholders are encouraged to also contact the COSECSA Secretariat and the Surgical Association of Malawi — through:
* Dr. Chifundo Kajombo, president Surgical Association of Malawi (+265 999 922 544;
* Dr. Tiyamike Chilunjika, organising committee chairperson (+265 998 029 089);
* Enipha Chinseu, COSECSA Malawi coordinator (+265 888 944 426).
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