EAU-PAUSA session: challenges and advances in Africa

During the international day at the Congress, the second joint session between the EAU and the Pan-African Urological Surgeons Association (PAUSA) took place. The session was chaired by the president of PAUSA, Prof. Mohamed Eissa (EG), and Prof. Magnus Grabe (SE), EAU coordinator and chairman of the Urological Infections guidelines working group.

The overall aim of this meeting was to increase collaboration between the two organisations. The programme covered recent developments in medical knowledge such as treatment of advanced prostate cancer, the role of circumcision and HIV in penis cancer, and management of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

The enormous challenges faced by urologists in Africa in terms of implementing basic urological diagnosis and treatment procedures were underlined by Dr. Shingai Mutambirwa (ZA). Furthermore, the prevailing discrepancies between the different regions of Africa were revealed. Striking is the lack of epidemiological data on most urogenital cancers and benign diseases.

Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) was discussed from two viewpoints: Prof. Michael Bishop (GB) talked about how to surgically manage problematic fistula and Dr. Emile Rwamasirabo (RW) used his experiences in Rwanda to illustrate the great importance of VVF prevention through well-organised pre-natal and delivery care.

Finally, an exciting model of sustainable cooperation called Horizons was presented by Prof. James N’Dow (GB). This project aims to improve health care in Gambia by setting up a self-sustainable and collaborative programme of improving maternal health and health of infants, trainings for healthcare professionals, and developing an equipment and maintenance strategy.

The EAU and PAUSA can eventually coordinate efforts to establish a network of self-sustainable collaborative projects in various African countries, promote research on the epidemiology of urological diseases, and support the distribution of well-established knowledge through teaching programmes and guidelines.