Despite global under-five deaths declining from nearly 12 million in 1990 to 6.9 million in 20111 there continues to be significant progress to be made. The myriad problems of providing healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa are well documented and, among others, include a lack of postqualification specialist training which may influence the choice of physicians to work in large urban hospitals or to leave a country altogether.2 ,3 Postgraduate training builds the capacity of local physicians and reduces the ‘push’ factors involved in human capital flight which drains resource-poor countries of skilled workers.3 ,4

Paediatric associations are vital for improving child health in all countries. The experience …