The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG) concluded its 31st annual conference successfully. The conference that started with preconference CMEs on February 10, 2023 was concluded on February 14, 2023 with a two days event that has been underway at Hilton Hotel.

 

As usual the two days preconference CMEs involved hands-on training and a series of theoretical sessions by speakers from all over the world. This year’s preconference CMEs were conducted for three days unlike the previous years, when it was only for two days.

The main event of the conference that kicked off at Hilton Hotel on February 13, 2023, brought a series of distinguished guests. Honorable Dr. Ayele Teshome, state minister of health made an opening remark. Key note speakers included Dr. Jeanne A. Conry, president of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and Prof Dr. Med.  Christoph Thomssen, gyn, oncologist, Martin Luther University of Halle, Germany. The presidential address was made by Dr. Abdulfetah Abdulkadir, president of ESOG.

Continuing its long-standing tradition, ESOG has recognized individuals for their contribution to women’s health and health care in general. Professor Senait Fisseha, vice president of global programs at the Buffet Foundation and advisor to the general director of the World Health Organization (WHO) received ESOG award of honor.

Dr. Endrias Lenchamo, received ESOG’s lifetime achievement award for his lifelong contribution to women’s health care in Ethiopia. This year ESOG’s distinguished service award went to Dr. Ayele Debebe while ESOG’s national service award and community service award went to Dr. Ambaye H. Michael and Dr. Melaku Abrha, respectively.

Themed Health Service Redesigning to Reduce Maternal and Perinatal Mortality: Searching for Alternative Models and chaired by Dr. Gelane Lelissa, ESOG’s vice president, the plenary session brought to the stage Honorable Dr. Meseret Zelalem, director of child health and nutrition directorate at Ministry of Health, Susna De, deputy director of Health and Nutrition Ethiopia at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Munir Kassa, technical advisor to minister of Health, and Professor Delayehu Bekele, former president of ESOG and department head of Ob-Gyn at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College.

The business meeting of ESOG saw the approval of a newly amended constitution that foresees structural and other reforms and a new strategic plan that covers the period from 2023-2027.

The final day of ESOG 31st annual conference brought dozens of scientific papers. The best scientific paper award to this year’s conference was given to Yeneabat Birhanu to research he presented entitled- Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Cesarean Section Delivery in Ethiopia; A Spatial and Multilevel Analysis EDHS 2019.

This year ESOG has also started a memorial lecture in memory of the late Dr. Solomon Kumbi, ESOG’s senior member who passed away last year.