Anaesthesiologists spend R100m in Cape Town

The world-class conference facility and the attractions of the Mother City are a magnet to overseas delegates and the week has seen the return of hundreds of ex-pats who now practice anaesthesiology in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. Congress organisers believe about 1 000 ex-pats are attending the congress, about a third of the number of South African anaesthesiologists who live abroad.

It is the first time that the congress has been held on African soil and CTICC managing director Dirk Elzinga said congresses like the WCA 2008 were a huge influence on overseas perceptions of South Africa.

“We have had doctors here this week who have not set foot in this country for 30 years. It has been an eye-opener for many thousands of delegates from countries around the world who would not have travelled to South Africa had it not been for the congress being held here.”

Anaesthesiology, while its objective is the alleviation of human pain, does not have a high public profile in the world and, in many under developed countries, hospitals lack both professional skills and equipment. Dr David Morrell, WCA 2008 chairperson and the congress convenor said that the congress would ultimately lead to better and safer anaesthesia for sick patients across the world. Highlights of the scientific discussions have included HIV and anaesthesia and awareness under anaesthesia.

“During this week some 2 000 scientific works from all corners of the globe have been discussed in Cape Town, to anaesthesiologists and delegates that represent 113 different countries from Trinidad to Mongolia,” said Morrell.

“CTICC has provided us with a platform to deliver targeted education that covers the full spectrum of anaesthesiology co-ordinated by authorities from all over the world, which will set new standards of reference.”

The financial benefit to the region of congresses like WCA2008 is a key contributor to CTICC's economic spin-off in the region, said Elzinga. “Given that more than 7 000 delegates have been here for at least six days, this congress alone amounts to something in the region of R100 million being spent in the Cape,” he said.

International conference delegates spend on average R2 400 each per day - on registration, accommodation, local travel and transportation, gastronomy and souvenirs – more than is spent by international tourists. Last year South African Tourism reported that the average daily spend of a leisure tourist was R550 per day while for the business traveller it was R1 620.

CTICC is a major employer in Cape Town and has recently been included in the ranks of SA's top 500 companies. The number of direct jobs it created in 2007 was 3 800 locally and 5 300 nationally. This week the congress has provided employment to approximately 350 casual staff each day.

On the medical side, preparation for the congress has been underway for 12 years. The logistics of managing a congress of this size, the second largest yet held at CTICC, has involved a dedicated CTICC project team. As well as dealing with matters from traffic flows outside the centre to people flows inside the building, communication technology and all security measures, CTICC's team was responsible for the feeding of 7 000 or more people daily. The city-wide congress has involved successful co-operation between CTICC and hoteliers, transport authorities and tourism bodies among others.

A major logistical operation has been the setting up of transport to ferry delegates between hotels and the CTICC. Delegates are staying in 40 official hotels and two guest houses as well as directly booked rooms. Up to 88 coaches have been used each day to transfer delegates from the accredited accommodation.

“It is the logistics of catering and readiness for emergencies that determines the success of this kind of event,” said Elzinga. “CTICC was built for congresses of this size and the success of the WCA 2008 is further publicity for Cape Town and our infrastructure in this country. Many of the delegates are also spending a few extra days visiting other areas of South Africa while they are here and many have promised to bring their families back to Cape Town at the earliest opportunity.”