* Malawi to showcases a decade of surgical growth since hosting the prestigious conference for the first time in 2016
* With a budget of US$750,000, Surgical Association of Malawi appeals for stakeholders support to successfully host the event
* That will draw over 1,500 medical practitioners to be held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) from November 27 to December 4
By Duncan Mlanjira
Surgical Association of Malawi is set to host the prestigious annual general meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) from November 27 to December 4.
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The event, to draw over 1,500 medical practitioners to be held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) will be held under the theme; ‘Surgery in the Era of Antimicrobial Resistance’.
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.
In a statement, the organisers state that 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,” says the statement.
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.
The seven Malawi hospitals accredited by COSECSA are Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, Mzuzu Central Hospital, Zomba Central Hospital, Nkhoma Mission Hospital in Lilongwe, Malamulo Hospital at Makwasa in Thyolo and Blantyre’s Beit CURE International Hospital-Malawi.
The Malawi Surgical Association indicates that these institutions earned COSECSA accreditation “by demonstrating high standards in clinical infrastructure, operating theater capacity, diagnostic facilities, surgical case volume, and having qualified consultant surgeons on site to supervise specialist trainees”.
From the 43 COSECSA-accredited trainers include five notable ones driving surgical education and mentorship in Malawi, that include:
* Prof. Wakisa Mulwafu — Otorhinolaryngology (medical specialty focused on the surgical and medical treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck;
* Prof. Eric Borgstein — Pediatric surgery (specialised medical field focused on the surgical care of fetuses, newborns, infants, children, and adolescents);
* Prof. Nyengo Mkandawire — orthopedic surgery (medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles;
* Dr. Charles Mabedi — Urology (specialised branch of medicine and surgery that focuses on the health of the urinary tract in both men and women, as well as the male reproductive system); and
* Dr. Keller Kumwenda — Neurosurgery (medical specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves).
Malawi’s growing role in regional surgery
The statement adds that hosting the event again “reflects Malawi’s growing contribution to regional healthcare development and offers a chance to showcase local hospitals, universities, the surgical workforce and the hospitality sector”.
“It also gives Malawian trainees and health workers greater access to regional experts, scientific exchange and mentorship without the cost of international travel.”
The organisers further indicates that the event’s budget is at US$750,000 (approximately MK1.4 billion) to cater for all coordinated planning logistics, national and regional planning — across three key areas:.
1. Programme & professional coordination — led by the COSECSA Secretariat, Surgical Association of Malawi, examination teams, scientific committees, universities and accredited hospitals;
2. National logistics & hospitality — venue management, accommodation, airport reception, local transport, security, protocol, catering, tourism, visas and emergency support;
3. Finance, communication & partnerships — sponsorship mobilisation, budgeting, procurement, media engagement, branding, exhibition space, digital systems and transparent reporting.
The organisers, thus appeals for sponsorship support from the corporate world and all stakeholders saying: “COSECSA 2026 is more than a conference — it is an investment in people, partnerships, tourism, professional excellence and the future of safe surgery in Malawi and across Africa.”
Why it matters: economic and health benefits
The organisers emphasise that the conference will deliver immediate and long-term gains as follows for Malawi:
* Improved surgical knowledge, skills and mentorship for Malawian health workers;
* Stronger links between government, universities, hospitals and international partners;
* Greater public awareness of safe surgery and specialist healthcare;
* Long-term support for retaining surgeons and strengthening national surgical capacity
* Immediate economic activity for hotels, transport, restaurants, conference services, tourism and local suppliers; and
* International visibility as a safe destination for major regional events.
For sponsors & partners, they will:
* gain brand visibility before 1,500+ delegates with direct engagement with healthcare leaders and decision-makers;
* exhibition opportunities, and association with a credible institution supporting affordable specialist training and workforce retention in Africa.
“With an estimated budget of US$750,000 — covering venue, accommodation, catering, examinations, audio-visual services, transport, graduation and hospitality — sponsorship is critical to keeping participation accessible.”
“The conference is expected to draw surgeons, trainees, universities, hospitals, government representatives, professional bodies, development partners and industry from across the region.”
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The organisers indicate that so far key partners financiers are First Capital Bank (FCB) and Ethiopian Airlines among the main funding institutions and key corporate/travel partners supporting the summit.
“The broader funding strategy — budgeted at estimated US$750,000 is being raised through a combination of corporate sponsorships, international partner support, registration fees, and local fundraising activities — including the upcoming COSECSA 2026 fundraising golf tournament on August 29, 2026 at Lilongwe Golf Club.
“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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