Welcome Message from PAPSA President

Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Partners,

On behalf of the Pan African Pediatric Surgical Association (PAPSA), it is my great pleasure and pride to welcome you to the Biennial PAPSA Conference taking from 2 – 4 April 2027 in the beautiful and historic city of Tunis, Tunisia.

Over the years, PAPSA has grown into a powerful platform for professional collaboration, education, research, mentorship, advocacy and professional exchange among pediatric surgeons, trainees and other healthcare professionals dedicated to improving surgical outcomes for children on our continent.

Our collective efforts continue to advance pediatric surgical care in Africa despite challenges related to workforce shortages, inequities in access, iadequate infrastructure, delayed presentation, and resource constraints. Yet, much more remains to be done.

This conference represents another important milestone in our shared commitment to advancing surgical care for children across Africa. The conference also represents an important opportunity to inspire the next generation of African pediatric surgeons and related professionals. Through mentorship, networking, and scientific exchange, we aim to build stronger regional collaborations and a united vision for the future of pediatric surgery in Africa.

The 2027 conference will bring together leading experts, trainees, researchers, nurses, policymakers, and partners from Africa and around the world to discuss innovations, challenges, and opportunities for pediatric surgical care. Through scientific sessions, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, we hope to encourage and forge meaningful engagement that will strengthen children’s surgical systems and improve access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care for every African child.

Tunis, with its rich cultural heritage, longstanding history, and warm hospitality, provides an ideal setting for this important gathering. We are confident that everyone will enjoy not only an enriching scientific programme but also the unique cultural and historical experience that Tunisia offers.

At a time when millions of African children still lack access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care, this conference is far more than a scientific gathering. It is a call to action. It is an opportunity for Africa’s pediatric surgical community and our global partners to come together with renewed determination to address the urgent challenges facing children requiring surgical care across our continent.

As President of PAPSA, I warmly invite you to join us for what promises to be an exciting and impactful conference. Together, let us strengthen our partnerships, amplify our voices, advance our science, and reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring that every child in Africa has access to the surgical care they need and deserve.

I look forward to welcoming you personally to Tunis for what promises to be an inspiring and enjoyable PAPSA conference.