She specialised in Gynaecology at the University of Pretoria and did a fellowship in Gynaecologic Oncology in Pretoria and at University Hospitals of Leuven, Edinburgh and Utrecht. She holds a PhD in gynaecologic cancer (genetics) from the University of Pretoria. She has visited numerous Universities locally and internationally as visiting researcher, professor, and lecturer.

Prof Greta Dreyer currently heads Gynaecologic Oncology at the University of Pretoria and the Steve Biko Hospital where she is actively involved in academic medicine as a clinician, researcher and teacher. Training highlights from the Unit include the first College examined subspecialist Gynaecologic Oncologist in South Africa and multiple previous and current local and international gynaecologic oncology fellows including trainees from Kenia, Belgium, Indonesia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Syria, the Netherlands, etc..

Much of prof Dreyer’s current research focuses on methods to improve access to, and effectiveness of cervical cancer prevention strategies. Other research interests and fields of expertise include management of inherited cancer risk, all aspects of advanced surgery for woman’s cancer and surgical training. For local, collaborative and multicentric work, she received research grants from several local and international institutes and has ongoing research contracts with multinational pharmaceutical, vaccine and bio-testing companies and collaboration with prominent South African and European Universities.

Greta Dreyer started and edited the Southern African Journal of Gynaecologic Oncology (a regional scholarly journal), edited the local peer reviewed O&G Forum and is a SA-NRF rated and awarded researcher. Publications include more than 70 peer reviewed research articles, 22 book chapters, 25 technical reports / guidelines, 11 PhD supervisions, and numerous published conference and keynote presentations.

She is an active member of societies in the fields of Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology and has contributed widely in national and international bodies. She currently has leadership roles in the South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (Past President), College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Past President). As the President Elect of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society she focuses on training to improve cancer surgery in Africa and the Middle-East and on international collaboration in the fight against cervical cancer.

Dr Haynes van der Merwe is a Gynaecologic Oncologist and is the current Head of the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University.

After graduating with MBChB from Stellenbosch University in 1987 he did his Internship and another three years as Medical Officer in Paarl after which he worked as a General Practitioner in Paarl for almost 8 years. Following his training as registrar in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Tygerberg Hospital he was awarded FCOG by the COG and MMED (O & G) by Stellenbosch University in 2003. He took up a specialist position in the O & G Department at Tygerberg Hospital in 2003 and was registered as Sub-specialist Gynaecologic Oncologist in 2009. In 2016 he was appointed in his current position as the Head of the Gynaecologic Oncology Unit at Tygerberg Hospital.

He is also a member of the International Gynaecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) and member of South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists (SASGO). He is a member of the HPV Board (current secretary) and serves as a director on the HPV Cervical Cancer Research Fund (HCCRF). Dr Van der Merwe is the immediate past-President of the South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG) and as such is a member of the Executive Committee and Council.

Dr Van der Merwe has authored/co-authored 30 publications in international and local scientific journals and has authored 4 chapters in text books. He has given numerous presentations at international and national congresses.

Haynes is married to Esmaré and they have two wonderful children. He has a very keen interest in wine tasting and is a ball sport fanatic. He keeps fit in the gym and plays golf whenever he has free time over weekends.

MBChB (NTL), B.Sc, DA (SA), Dip Mid COG(SA), FCOG (SA), Materno-Fetal Medicine (HPCSA accredited)

PhD (UKZN) PhD Senior (UKZN)

Subspecialist: Fetal-Maternal Medicine

Professor Ismail Bhorat is the current President of the South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SASOG). He is a Feto-Maternal specialist, Associate Professor in the Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Clinical Director of the Fetal Unit at Netcare Umhlanga Hospital, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa, Consultant to the Fetal Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa. He was awarded his PhD in the field of fetal cardiology in 2015. In 2019 he was awarded a 2^nd PhD – the PhD Senior – the first recipient of the PhD Senior from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He has also pioneered fetal surgery in South Africa. He is also chairman of the Expert Opinion Panel (an affiliate of the South African Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology), a committee member of the South African Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, accredited member of the Fetal Medicine Foundation, UK and member of the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis. He is a peer review consultant for many international journals including the American Journal of Obstetrics, Ultrasound Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Echocardiography. His special interest is in the diagnosis and management of fetal cardiac anomalies as well as fetal cardiac haemodynamics and its application and implementation as a tool in fetal surveillance in high risk obstetrics and has published widely in this field.

Priya Soma-Pillay is Professor and Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Chair of the School of Medicine at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital. Priya is a maternal and fetal medicine sub-specialist and holds a PhD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She has a special interest in managing high-risk pregnancies, particularly women with cardiac and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. She has published > 70 papers in peer-reviewed journals and is an author of several book chapters. Her research interests include preventing preterm birth and she is a member of the global NIHR-funded PRIME research study group. Priya served as a member of the South African National Committee for the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death from 2011-2020 and was the chapter head for “Deaths due to medical disease in pregnancy.” She is the immediate past-president of the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of South Africa and a member of senate of the College of Medicine of South Africa. She serves on the FIGO Preterm Birth Committee.

Dr. Peter De Jong qualified as a gynaecologist and obstetrician in 1987 and subsequently moved to the UK to gain clinical experience. During this time, he established the first outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy clinic in Plymouth, with results published in the British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. He worked under Dr. Bob Freeman, President of the International Urogynaecological Association.

Upon returning to Cape Town in 1990, Dr. De Jong co-founded the Cape Town Pelvic Floor Society with Dr. Gunther Rienhard, which evolved into the Pelvic Floor Foundation of SA. This organization aimed to promote urogynaecology in South Africa, organizing academic meetings and workshops with international experts.

At the University of Cape Town’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dr. De Jong focused on urogynaecological research and ran the Female Continence Clinic with Prof. Alan Pontin. He also initiated the UCT O&G Refresher Course and published numerous papers in local and international journals. As a founder member of the SA Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, he was awarded a Fellowship in 2018 for his work on thromboprophylaxis guidelines.

Dr. De Jong currently serves as President of the SA Representative Committee of the Royal College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and has been involved in organizing major international congresses in Cape Town, including FIGO 2009, IUGA 2016, RCOG 2017, and FIGO 2025.

In addition to his clinical work at Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital, where he practices both obstetrics and gynaecology, Dr. De Jong is involved in ongoing research on the CaesAid device he designed, which is used during Caesarean sections. This research has been published and presented internationally.

Beyond his medical career, Dr. De Jong has served as honorary chairman of the St Monica’s Home for the Aged for 18 years, overseeing its operations and supporting its residents.

My name is Frederick Kireki Omanwa, I am a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and lecturer at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Nairobi where I have been for the last 7 years.

I am currently the President of KOGS- Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, a position I have held since 2020.

I am a past member of FIGO Reproductive Medicine, Endocrinology and Infertility Committee.

I have been involved in women’s health advocacy at the national level in Kenya. Apart from that I have also served in technical working groups in matters of sexual reproductive health. My special interest is in infertility and its socioeconomic impact especially in low income countries.

I undertook my undergraduate studies , specialization in Obstetrics and Gynaecology as well as doctoral studies at the Medical University in Wroclaw, Poland.

Prof. Mamour Gueye is a Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. He is a former Resident of Dakar Hospitals and currently practices in university hospitals.

Prof. Gueye holds a degree in Breast Diseases and Medical Oncology, as well as an MSc in Public Health and Health Promotion from the United Kingdom.

He is a proud Chevening Alumni and has additional qualifications in Statistical Methods in Health and Database Management from France.

Prof. Gueye has extensive experience in developing health databases and is actively involved in advancing maternal health and oncological care.

His work integrates innovative technologies and methodologies to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in Senegal and beyond

Dr. Muna Tahlak is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Vice Provost at Dubai Health. Dr. Tahlak is currently the Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Latifa Women and Children Hospital. She is also Adjunct Faculty at Mohamed Bin Rashid University, Dubai, UAE.

Dr. Tahlak is the first Arab Women to hold the position of President for the International Hospital Federation. She was the Regional Trustee for the Africa & Eastern Mediterranean Region for the International Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology for the period 2021- 2023. Also, she is the President of Emirates Obstetrics and gynaecology society.

Dr Tahlak is an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant and the first Emirati lady to complete her specialization in obstetrics and gynaecology from the John Hopkins Hospital, United States of America (USA). In 1997, she graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and topped her class in pathology. She is American Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a fellow of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2005. She completed Executive Master of Public Administration Program from Mohamed Bin Rashid School of Government in 2020.

Prior to joining the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dr Tahlak worked in USA as an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant from 2004 to 2006. Dr Muna joined Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai Health Authority on 15 November 2006 as a Consultant Obstetrician/ Gynecologist. She later held the posts of Assistant Head of Obs/Gyn and Head of Obs/Gyn at Latifa Hospital.

During her tenure as the head of the department, Dr Tahlak developed the minimal invasive surgery services at the hospital. She established the outpatient office hysteroscopy procedure at the hospital without the need for hospitalization or anaesthesia as it used to be done previously.

She also served as the Director of Obs/Gyn Residency Program of DHA from 2007 till 2010. She is a member of several esteemed national and international societies and associations which includes:

▪ Member of American Congress of obstetricians and gynaecologists

▪ Member of American Association of Gynaecologic Laparoscopists.

▪ Fellow of International Academy of Human Reproduction (IAHR)

Dr Tahlak regularly participates in various conferences as a speaker, she has received various awards for excellence in her field and she provides training for resident doctors. Dr Muna has many publications in peer reviewed journals

I am Dr Nancy Kazadi, a dedicated medical professional with extensive training and experience in gynaecology and obstetrics. I completed my medical degree at [Your Medical School] and subsequently pursued a specialization in gynaecology and obstetrics at Tygerberg Hospital, through the University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town South Africa. Throughout my training, my passions have always been focused on providing the very best care for women in all stages of their lives.

Since 2022, I have served as the Chair of the South African Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SAATOG). In this role, I lead initiatives aimed at supporting and advocating for trainee doctors, fostering professional development, and enhancing the quality of obstetric and gynaecological care in South Africa. My leadership in SAATOG has been instrumental in organizing educational programs, workshops, and networking opportunities for trainees across the region. I have worked tirelessly to build a robust support network for trainees, facilitating mentorship programs and creating platforms for the exchange of knowledge and best practices. Additionally, I have been actively involved in policy discussions, representing the interests of trainees at national and regional forums.

I was also an active participant in the One World Exchange initiative headed by the World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (WATOG). This initiative provided me with a unique opportunity to collaborate with peers from around the globe, share insights, and learn from diverse healthcare environments. My involvement culminated in the presentation of my research at the FIGO World Congress, showcasing my dedication to advancing the field of obstetrics and gynaecology.

My primary interests lie in reproductive medicine, an area I am deeply passionate about and aspire to make significant contributions to. I am particularly focused on addressing the challenges related to reproductive health and am committed to improving outcomes for women globally.

Being part of the Local Organising Committee for the XXV FIGO World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics represents a remarkable opportunity for me to collaborate with and learn from leading experts in obstetrics and gynaecology. This role allows me to contribute to the planning and execution of a significant global event, further fuelling my passion and dream of advancing reproductive medicine. I am eager to engage with the giants in the field and leverage this experience to make a lasting impact on women’s health.

As the Chair of SAATOG, I am deeply committed to the training and empowerment of both current and aspiring obstetric and gynaecology professionals. My professional journey as a medical officer at Tygerberg Hospital has been driven by a dedication to hard work, trustworthiness, and an unwavering belief in the importance of women’s autonomy in healthcare decisions. I am passionate about ensuring that SAATOG plays a pivotal role in providing exceptional training opportunities for our registrars, as those who aspire to join the field. By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, we can empower all trainees, regardless of their resources or position, to become the next generation of leaders in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Monafu Rebecca Motete, lives in Welkom, Free State province, South Africa. She is a mom and an advocate for provision of quality care in maternal and neonatal health. Researcher at heart

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND ACADEMIC CHIEVEMENTS

Basic diploma in Nursing and Midwifery: Old QwaQwa Nursing College

Advanced Midwifery: King Edward VIII Hospital

BA Nursing (Nursing education and Health Service Management) – UP

EMPLOYMENT

Midwife – Maternity unit Mofumahali Manapo Mopedi Hospital

Midwifery educator -Free State School of Nursing

National Department of Health – Assistant Manager Maternal and Neonatal Health.

Served both in National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal death and the National Saving Babies Technical team.

Currently working as District Clinical Specialist Team member In Lejweleputswa Health District.

PROFESSINAL INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION

Participated in the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Maternal and Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy Africa Cohort in 2014-2015 as a mentor. Member Sigma Theta Tau

President of the Society of Midwives South Africa (SOMSA).

Sitting President of the Free State Province Society of Midwives.

Team member and co-author of working group on development of SA neonatal Skin Care guidelines

PAPERS AND POSTERS PRESENTED AT PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC PLATFORMS
Registered a case study with Reducing Maternal and Child Health through Strengthening Primary Health Care (RMCH) 2013. Presented papers on quality improvement projects locally and internationally.2017 presented an oral presentation at the 31st International Congress of Midwives in Canada, Toronto.

Alison is a qualified Pharmacist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Pharmacology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management. Alison stablished Royal House as a professional healthcare industry consultancy to offer a comprehensive healthcare support service encompassing Medical Association Secretariat support. She has been the secretariat for SASOG since 2017.

Key strengths include understanding of legislative aspects and functioning of the healthcare and allied market in South Africa, as well as strong administrative compliance. With the range of exposure to various organisations and communities in the healthcare field, from patients; to care givers, to funders to the lay public, Alison has a broad insight into the dynamics and functioning of the system.