Pretoria - Professor Ken Boffard, a trauma surgeon at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, has been elected world President of the International Society of Surgery.
Professor Boffard is the first African to be elected world president in the organisation's 110 years of existence.
He will lead the world's largest and oldest international surgical society between 2010 and 2011. The body represents General and Specialist Surgeons in 108 countries.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Social Development, Qedani Mahlangu, has congratulated Professor Boffard.
"The election of Prof Boffard to the highest office of this world organization is proof yet again of the calibre of health professionals and the high level of expertise that we have in the public health sector in Gauteng. We wish him well and we are certain that he will represent our country and our province well," said Mahlangu.
Boffard, who has also worked in different hospitals in the United Kingdom, is Chief Specialist and Clinical Head of the Department of Surgery at the hospital which is one of the busiest trauma centres in the country.
"His knowledge, skills and years of experience have indeed contributed to making Charlotte Maxeke hospital as a centre of excellence," said the MEC.
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Boffard said: "To me, this offers an opportunity to join existing resources worldwide in improving surgical education in situations where it is not necessary available.
"I regard my election as a direct compliment to Charlotte Maxeke and its staff, for the work they have achieved. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to broaden access to surgery," he said.
