The Symposium provides a comprehensive review of the contemporary cardiovascular medicine for practicing physicians and physicians in training. The practical workshop includes training on implantation of permanent pacemakers and implantable cardiovascular defibrillators, and the basics of percutaneous cardiovascular interventions.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality globally with majority of the deaths occurring in the lower and middle income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, while communicable diseases are still more prevalent, the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease is rising more rapidly and it is expected to overtake communicable diseases as a cause of mortality in the near future.

One of the major challenges in the fight against cardiovascular disease in this region is a shortage of educational resources and cardiovascular disease specialists. This program hopes to bring world class cardiovascular education to the region so that it can be accessible to health care professionals who may not have access to similar programs which are often held in other parts of the world.