SICOT Around the World

Report on the African SAFO Congress 

  Thami Benzakour
  SICOT National Delegate of Morocco & SICOT Ambassador - Casablanca, Morocco
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I had the honour and pleasure of representing SICOT at the Combined 13th African and 3rd Burkinabe Orthopaedic Congress held last February, in the famous and traditional city of Bobo-Dioulasso.

The first day was dedicated to a basic course on osteosynthesis with several workshops including the Ilizarov technique. These courses were intended for residents and trainees interested in traumatology. The main themes of the two other days focused on:

  • New technologies in musculoskeletal surgery;

  • Loss of tissue substances and infections;

  • Tropical and surgical pathologies;

  • Polytrauma and Road Traffic Accidents;

  • Spine and hip diseases.

In addition to my speech on behalf of SICOT, I gave a long lecture on Road Traffic Accidents. My second presentation was rather a face-to-face with Fred Otsyeno from Kenya on Spine Arthroplasties and Spine Fusion.

The meeting gathered participants from about 25 countries including France and Belgium. The attendance of this Congress was around 320 participants. Many high quality presentations were given by senior surgeons and some others by younger doctors.

During the Closing Ceremony, I offered an Award for the best presentation in English. I also took the opportunity to encourage new members to join SICOT and attend the Oman Meeting in December, as well as to strengthen the relationship between Africa and SICOT. 

The SAFO Congress President, Patrick Dakouré, and the SAFO President, Hans Aristote Hans Moevi Akué, expressed their thanks to SICOT for having supported the African meeting.

The organisers deserve congratulations and many thanks for this excellent initiative to promote Orthopaedics throughout Africa.

        
Thami Benzakour and Patrick Dakouré, Congress President
 
 
Thami Benzakour and Hans Aristote Hans Moevi Akué, SAFO President
 
 
Thami Benzakour and SAFO officers at the SICOT Booth
 
 
Thami Benzakour and Fred Otsyeno during the “Spine face-to-face”