By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe will host the 2028 Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS) conference in Harare, bringing hundreds of neurosurgeons and other specialists from across Africa and beyond to the country in a meeting expected to strengthen neurosurgical training, research and patient care.
The successful bid, announced in Marrakech, Morocco, on October 16, comes alongside the election of Zimbabwean neurosurgeon Dr Aaron Musara as CAANS president-elect, placing Zimbabwe at the centre of the continent’s neurosurgical agenda ahead of the 2028 meeting.
Speaking to HealthTimes in an interview, Dr. Musara said winning the bid was both an achievement and a challenge for Zimbabwe’s neurosurgical community, particularly in translating the international exposure into improvements in local services.
“Winning this bid places a challenge on the Zimbabwean neurosurgical community to uplift the quality of neurosurgical care in the country,” Dr. Musara said.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for specialists to exchange expertise, present research and strengthen professional networks, with Dr. Musara saying preparations had already begun.
“The preparations for the 2028 meeting have begun in earnest. Information gathering and engagement of stakeholders is our first step, which we are executing already,” he said.
Dr. Musara said the conference could have a longer-term impact on neurosurgical services by creating opportunities for institutions to access new technologies and medical equipment. The meeting is expected to feature exhibitions by major medical manufacturing companies, creating opportunities for healthcare institutions to engage directly with manufacturers and potentially acquire equipment at discounted rates.
“It is an opportunity for institutions to get important medical devices at a discount. Also, research that is going on now shall be amplified and services will improve as a result,” he said.
He said the conference would also provide an opportunity to strengthen neurosurgical training in Zimbabwe and expose local professionals to emerging developments in the field.
“The conference presents an opportunity for improvement of neurosurgical training in Zimbabwe. It is a platform for sharing of cutting-edge research which will help drive up neurosurgical research in our country,” Musara said.
Attendance is expected to include neurosurgeons and specialists from across Africa, as well as representatives of professional associations from other continents. Organisers expect hundreds of delegates, with the potential to reach about 1,000. For Zimbabwe, the meeting also represents an opportunity to strengthen its role in continental medical and scientific networks.
Musara said the bid was supported by the Government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Rainbow Towers Hotel.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer, (CEO), Dr George Manyaya said the successful bid demonstrated the country’s growing ability to compete for major international professional gatherings.
“Zimbabwe is strengthening its capacity to attract and secure international conferences through a deliberate and coordinated approach to MICE tourism,” Dr. Manyaya said.
He said the ZTA’s newly established Bidding and Business Development Department was working with government and other stakeholders to identify opportunities and secure international conferences for the country.
“Winning the CAANS Conference demonstrates that Zimbabwe is not only a destination of extraordinary attractions but is also ready to host major international professional gatherings,” Dr. Manyaya said.
Manyaya said the CAANS win was the sixth international conference bid secured by Zimbabwe, following successful bids including the Trans Africa Investment Summit, International Conference for Women in Physics, Intra-African Trade Fair Coordination Company event, Rotary Club 9210 conference and the International Corrections and Prisons Association Conference.
While the ZTA expects international conferences to generate wider economic activity, the CAANS meeting is primarily expected to deliver professional and scientific benefits for Zimbabwe’s neurosurgical community.
For Dr. Musara, the ultimate measure of the conference’s success will be whether the knowledge, research collaborations and professional networks generated through the meeting translate into better care for patients.
“We are excited to host this important continental meeting here in Zimbabwe. It is our hope that this shall translate into improved neurosurgical services to our people,” he said.
Musara’s election as CAANS president-elect will further position Zimbabwe within the leadership of the continental neurosurgical association. He will work alongside the current president during the transition period before assuming the presidency in 2028.
“The president-elect works with the current president, understudying activities of the association and working out a plan for continuity of the functions of the association in the next term,” Musara said.
He described the appointment as a significant responsibility and a vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s contribution to continental neurosurgery.
“This is great trust put upon my shoulders to carry on with the vision of CAANS,” he said.
The themes for the 2028 conference are yet to be finalised, but preparations and stakeholder engagement are already underway. For Zimbabwe’s health sector, the challenge now will be to ensure that hosting the continental meeting goes beyond a high-profile event and produces lasting gains in specialist training, research, technology and access to quality neurosurgical care.
