Supported by Life Support Foundation, this August, The Society of Anaesthesiologists will hold their first Annual National Conference in Malawi. The theme will be “Saving the Lives of Mothers: Obstetric Anaesthesia & Critical Care in Malawi”.
Anaesthesia & Intensive Care in Malawi has been under-prioritised. For the 17 million population, there are only four anaesthesiologists and 25 intensive care beds. The maternal mortality ratio is high – 634 per 100,000 live births, compared to 398 in Tanzania and 4 in Sweden, according to WHO Statistics 2016. 
To advance the specialty, the recently established Society of Anaesthesiologists is planning annual conferences:
“National meetings are vital to provide refresher training for anaesthesia practitioners from the whole country, to connect anaesthetists with each other and to boost morale. This is a real opportunity to build capacity within Anaesthesia & Intensive Care in Malawi, and develop this vital specialty” says Dr Tim Baker from Life Support Foundation who is currently based in Blantyre, Malawi.
The conference will be held on the 19th-20th August in Blantyre.
