Report Secretary-General

Kenneth D. Boffard, Secretary-General ISS/SIC

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, It was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, It was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859

I write this for the spring (in the Northern hemisphere) and the autumn (in the Southern hemisphere), I think the Dickens’ words from 160 years ago reflect our current state of the world. As our President articulates above, the world is in a state of anxiety and uncertainty not seen globally for decades. We are in a world dominated by social media, where news (fake and real) travels fast, optimism over large areas of the globe gives way to despair, and every advance real or imagined, is hailed as part of the answer. Sadly, this is associated with stigmatization by some communities, partner abuse under lockdown, massive markups on essential products such as masks, and hoarding of commodities, and a plethora of individuals selling “cures”. However, in some ways the world is a better place. Trauma is way down. In South Africa, the national road death toll for the Easter period last year, was 250. This year was 28. Most countries have seen a drop of up to 70% of the expected number of injuries. Air is cleaner, flamingos are returning to Delhi, deer (and at least one elephant), are seen in the streets of some cities, and dolphins in the canals of others. Individuals and communities are being brought closer to each other, relating to each other, supporting each other and working together for the common good, often despite harsh economic reality.

John G. Hunter President ISS/SIC & Congress President ISW 2021

Worldwide, the medical profession has worked beyond exhaustion, health care workers, Police officers, Emergency Medical Service, Fire, and others place themselves in harm’s way, often without adequate personal protection, removed

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

from their loved ones, and sometimes giving their lives for their patients. On behalf of the Society, and you, the members, thank you for what you are doing, and will continue to do. Thank you for always putting your patients first. Thank you for communicating and sharing. And most of all, thank you to all our members for being role models of what medicine (not just surgery) should be.

Please diarize our International Surgical Week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next year August 29 th until 2 nd September 2021. We look forward to an extraordinary meeting and being able to thank you in person.

Stay safe!

Ken Boffard Secretary-General ISS/SIC