The ASSET annual meeting was held in Durban from the 13th to the 17th of May 2019.
The meeting brought together partners, researchers, fellows and others integral to ASSET in a tranquil setting at Zimbali on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The meeting allowed for those working across countries to meet face-to-face for valuable discussions and knowledge-sharing.

ASSET’s aim is to strengthen health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. ASSET works across three care platforms – surgical care, maternal care and integrated primary healthcare for chronic diseases – in four sub-Saharan African countries (Ethiopia, South Africa, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe).
The annual meeting began by allowing meeting attendees to meet, reconnect and get settled in. The focus then shifted to presentations and discussions around the current research and interventions being carried out. Each discussion session was longer than the presentations, highlighting the focus on collaboration and interaction. Many of the lunch breaks were spent as working lunches with participants engaged in lively discussion and sharing of ideas, feedback and knowledge.

The large part of the second half of the week was spent on capacity building and co-development. The whole day on Friday was focused on capacity building workshops.
Thanks goes to all those involved and to the South African contingent of ASSET for welcoming everyone to their home-town.


