The Colleges of Medicine South Africa (CMSA) was founded in 1954. It has provided support for doctors since then specifically by offering specialist qualifications (fellowships) recognised by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa and by offering financing, governance and infrastructure support for academic medicine.
 
It is in the process of updating its support to the medical profession and has asked the Global South African project to reach out to its members to explore ways in which you can help. Here are some suggestions:
 
1) Supply technical support and current research on issues — both international and intrinsic to the South African context — affecting specialist training and academic medicine;
2) Provide input on developing a leadership course for specialists.
 
In addition, as CMSA audits the funding needs for tertiary academic hospitals and what is required to keep these updated with state of the art equipment and knowledge, you can lend your support by providing input into international best practices, by considering lecturing at a seminar if and when you travel to South Africa (we will arrange all the details for your presentation) and if you wish, by providing much needed financial support.
 
The CMSA is hoping to foster international collaboration, thus your support, in whatever form it takes (and bear in mind even e-mails containing your ideas and suggestions are helpful) will be most appreciated. Please contact me with any questions, ideas and suggestions you may have.