South African Gynaecologists performing endoscopic surgery now have access to an internationally accredited gynaecological endoscopic training programme, ‘The Winners Programme’. The Winners Programme was developed by the European Academy for Gynaecological Surgery and through collaboration by Prof Igno Siebert, the model has been implemented in South Africa, since January 2016.
The theoretical part of the programme is web-based and to make the certification accessible to everyone in South Africa, there will be a faculty of trainers who will travel to major gynaecological congresses over the next five years to assess the skills of gynaecologists (who have completed the web-based course) in a dry-lab for Level 1 certification.
The programme is aimed at improving endoscopic skills and is instrumental in South African Gynaecologists becoming accredited endoscopic surgeons. According to Prof Igno Siebert the main aims of the programme are to structure endoscopic training in South Africa and set a minimal quality standard which will improve patient care and safety, decrease morbidity and mortality in minimal invasive surgery as well as, reduce health care costs.