The main
activity during the year under review was concerned with preparations
for the
forthcoming All Africa Anaesthesia Congress (AAAC). The congress is
scheduled
to take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 12^th – 16^th
September 2009. This has been a particularly difficult meeting to
organise, not
least because of the failure of a succession of Professional Congress
Organisers failed to deliver as expected. These have thus had to be
terminated
and their functions taken over by the local organising committee.
Despite these
setbacks, the organising committee have pulled all stops and a
successful
meeting is eagerly awaited. International interest has been way beyond
expectation, with the scientific committee having to return many
abstracts
because of lack of space on the programme. We look forward to welcoming
everyone to Nairobi and the organising committee has promised a
memorable time
will be had by all.

As regards
other operations, the region remains in a state requiring close and
focussed
attention. Communication with member countries and societies is
particularly
poor, making it difficult to assess needs and allocate resources. The
ARS has
had only one profitable congress since 2001 and this is reflected in the
weak balance
sheet, the result of which is to curtail legitimate and necessary
activities in
order to stretch available resources for as long as possible. As a
consequence
there is almost complete reliance on the Education Committee for sorely
needed
teaching and training programmes in many of our member countries. We
therefore
acknowledge gratefully the contribution of individuals and societies in
Africa
and beyond to training programmes in some of these member countries. In
this
regard, special mention must be made of the efforts supported by the
Tunisian
and Egyptian societies.

In relation
to the function of the ARS and its Board, the forthcoming Regional
Assembly
will be asked to consider some fundamental amendments to the
constitution,
chief among which are proposed changes to the electoral process. It is
the view
of the current ARS Board that in future office-bearers must be “fit for
purpose” and that the electoral process must have a mechanism for
identifying
candidates with potential for specific portfolios. Another matter to be
presented for ratification relates to congress guidelines. The ARS has
never
had such guidelines up till now and this creates many opportunities for
lapses
and disagreements between parties in the process of organizing a
congress such
as the AAAC. With a document in place it will be a lot easier for the
Board and
organizing committee to pull together when planning any future congress.

Arthur Rantloane

Board Chairman

4^th August 2009