COSECSA Basic Surgical Skills Course Successfully Delivered at MTRH
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) hosted a two-day Basic Surgical Skills Workshop on 21st and 22nd May , 2025, for first- and second-year residents under the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA).
This intensive, hands-on course, is a foundational requirement for surgical trainees and marks a critical investment in improving surgical care capacity across the region.
The workshop covered essential skills, including sterile technique, knot-tying, bowel and vascular anastomosis, tendon repair, splinting, and fracture management.
The practical curriculum was guided by COSECSA’s training standards and delivered through structured stations and expert-led demonstrations.
We express gratitude to the exceptional faculty who gave their time, energy, and expertise:
- Dr. Samuel Mathenge (Urology)
- Dr.Stephen Takow (Cardiothoracic Surgery)
- Dr. Alexandria Kimani (Senior Pediatric Surgery Trainee)
- Dr. Yohana Kago (Senior General Surgery Trainee)
- Dr. Francis Maiyo (General Surgery)
- Additional support was provided by Dr. Jason Axt and Dr. Geoffrey Ng’etich, COSECSA MCS course chairs.
The specialists who led the camp appreciated the invaluable logistical and technical support provided by MTRH Secretariat and members of the Students’ Surgical Forum (SSF) at Moi University.
”Their dedication and enthusiasm contributed meaningfully to the success of the course, which goes into scaling up the specialist healthcare services at MTRH .”
The training also emphasized safety in the operating theatre, appropriate use of electrosurgical tools, and principles of external fixation and cast application—essential for both trauma and elective surgical care in resource-limited settings.
Participants included 16 surgical trainees from MTRH and Moi University, all of whom completed the full curriculum and received certification upon conclusion.
This effort demonstrates MTRH’s, Moi University, and COSECSA’s shared commitment to surgical education and patient safety. With ongoing mentorship and institutional support, these trainees will contribute meaningfully to reducing surgical morbidity and mortality in the region.
