In 2015 the Lancet Commission for Global Surgery published a document that quantified the burden of unmet surgical need for the first time. An estimated 5 million people across the globe lack access to safe, affordable surgery and before this can be achieved an additional 2.2 million surgeons, anaesthetists and obstetricians must be trained. GASOC (Global Anaesthesia, Surgery and Obstetric Collaboration) is a trainee-led group that advocates for trainee engagement in Global Surgery. One way in which we do this is by holding an annual conference.

 

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This year our conference theme is “The story of Global Surgery – the Past, Present and Future”. It will take place virtually from 18th-19th September 2021. The aims of this conference are to provide a background of global surgery as a specialty, outline the current challenges in tackling the inequalities  in surgical care worldwide and showcasing projects that tackle these disparities. We will then be focusing on the future of global surgery such as innovative approaches in providing care and training globally and how technology may be used in the future to tackle current challenges.

 

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Improving the safety, accessibility and affordability of surgery across the world undoubtedly requires a multidisciplinary, international and multi-focused approach. We will therefore be inviting a broad range of speakers to our conference as well as members of our partner organisations (e.g ASiT, COSECSA, the G4 Alliance) and representatives from all the surgical, anaesthetic and obstetric royal colleges. We hope that GASOC members will be encouraged when they hear of the activities of our partner organisation. Having members of the royal colleges present will provide an opportunity for them to describe their global involvement and to hear the hopes and wishes of their members when it comes to strengthening global links and training in Global Surgery. 

 

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Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic we are holding the conference virtually to ensure the safety of our speakers and our members. A virtual conference has the advantage of ensuring equal engagement of delegates no matter where in the world you are based. We hope to see you then!