The third quarter of 2024 was marked by continued progress at the hub located in Lusaka, Zambia. Significant contributions have been made in surgical education, clinical care, and research, with a particular focus on expanding specialized programs and developing infrastructure to support long-term growth.
Simulation Lab Development
One of the most notable developments this quarter has been renovating the simulation lab at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia. This is a collaborative initiative supported by the ACS Foundation and the team from The University of Oklahoma, general and minimally invasive surgeon, Laura E. Fischer, MD, MS, FACS, and simulation specialist, Michael McGrail. By late September, construction of the lab was nearing completion, with new (donated) equipment for laparoscopic and trauma simulation training. The lab is expected to serve students, faculty, and registrars by offering hands-on simulations to improve surgical skills across specialties.
Transplant and Vascular Surgery Programs
Thomas Pham, MD, FACS, from Stanford University in California, and his team are committed to developing local capacity for living related kidney transplants in Lusaka, with an aim to establish a sustainable transplant program. Dr. Pham is scheduled to return to Lusaka in January 2025 to continue the development of the transplant program, and he is seeking additional collaborators from the US. Transplant surgeons and urologists who are interested in participating should reach out to ACS H.O.P.E. at acshope@facs.org.
Research and Quality Improvement Initiatives
Research is a high priority for this hub, with several workshops and lectures planned to provide professional development to faculty and residents. A key highlight is the statistical workshop scheduled for December, which will help build local research capacity. Furthermore, the Quality Improvement (QI) workgroup has been working diligently to track progress on pilot projects and provide additional QI training session in early 2025. This collaborative effort aims to improve clinical documentation standards and develop a more structured approach to trauma care at UTH.
Pediatric Surgery and Subspecialty Support
Several US pediatric surgeons are participating in this collaborative's activities. Amon Ngongola, MD, a pediatric surgeon at UTH, has been aa great partner in this effort. Robin T. Petroze, MD, FACS, from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, will be visiting in November. She is focused on recruiting more pediatric surgical faculty in collaboration with the American Pediatric Surgical Association. An additional follow-up visit from Muriel A. Cleary, MD, MHS, FACS, from the University of Massachusetts in Worcester, is scheduled for March 2025. Efforts also are underway to expand subspecialty services, including pediatric oncology and urology, to provide Lusaka with comprehensive surgical care across disciplines.
