AFEM consensus conference 2013 summary: Emergency care in Africa – Where are we now?

Emergencies span all social and specialty boundaries, making an integrated and cross-cutting approach to the management of acutely ill and injured patients essential. Most low income countries lack emergency care systems, and thus suffer the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from acute disease. The second African Federation for Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference was held in November, 2013, in Cape Town, South Africa. Workgroups included: Out of Hospital Care, Emergency Care Integration into Current Health Systems, and Documenting the Regional Burden of Acute Disease. One hundred thirty-five leaders in acute and emergency care representing 32 different countries attended the meeting. Workgroups were tasked with the generation of candidate frameworks to facilitate advocacy, scientific development, and future interventions in these three key areas