Welcome message from the president

Welcome to the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) website!

The Pan African Thoracic Society is a major professional organization representing Lung Health in Africa. Respiratory non-communicable diseases including asthma and COPD are key challenges for health in Africa and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in African population. Africa carries a disproportionally high burden of respiratory morbidity and mortality relative to the population size. Infectious diseases such as Pneumonia, Tuberculosis and HIV associated respiratory illnesses are amongst the commonest acute respiratory illnesses in African population.

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Who we are

PATS is a respiratory society made up of healthcare professionals from across the continent and beyond. Formed in 2003, we now have over 1,000 members from 65 countries.  

PATS aims to promote lung health in Africa, the continent most afflicted by morbidity and death from respiratory diseases, by promoting education, research, advocacy, optimal care and the development of African capacity to address respiratory challenges in the continent. 

PATS is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (221-195-NPO).

We continuously partner with other regional and international respiratory organisations in global efforts to improve lung health.

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Proud member of FIRS

Proud member of FIRS

PATS is a proud member of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) that includes leading international societies ATS, ALAT, APSR, Chest, ERS, IUATLD.  

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COVID-19 resources

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called 'SARS-CoV-2' (previously referred to as 2019-nCoV).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has compiled further resources in order to provide updated information as clinical findings become available.

To see updated information regarding confirmed cases globally access the WHO Dashboard or the COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.

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PATS and ERS Paediatric Webinar Series

PATS and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) will be cohosting a series of paediatric webinars during 2021. The webinars will take place on a quarterly basis.

The aim of the series is to provide up-to-date information on the daily practice of paediatric pulmonologists, respiratory scientists and allied health professionals, in order to improve their knowledge-base, and, ultimately, to improve the overall quality of patient care, both in the high income and low-middle income country contexts.

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COVID-19 Vaccine for Africa region

Access to an effective, affordable COVID-19 vaccine is an urgent issue for African countries.  An effective vaccine is currently being rolled out in the UK, USA and Canada, but not in any African country.  We need strong advocacy to ensure that African populations have timely access to an affordable COVID-19 vaccine.

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Latest News

Respiratory Care for the Newborns in Resource-limited settings

Respiratory Care for the Newborns in Resource-limited settings

The PATS and ERS paediatric webinar series continues with a Respiratory Care for the Newborns in Resource-limited settings webinar on 13 April 2023. 

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Pres Joseph Aluoch awarded Emeritus Regional Adviser status

Pres Joseph Aluoch awarded Emeritus Regional Adviser status

PATS President Dr Joseph A Aluoch was recently awarded Emeritus Regional Adviser status by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 

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Planetary health and climate change: the effect on children with respiratory diseases around the world

Planetary health and climate change: the effect on children with respiratory diseases around the world

The PATS and ERS paediatric webinar series resumes for the year, with a Planetary health and climate change: the effect on children with respiratory diseases around the world webinar on 20 March 2023. 

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World Pneumonia Day 2022

World Pneumonia Day on 12th Nov calls attention to the unacceptable and huge burden of pneumonia, much of which is preventable.

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Congress 2023 Abstract submissions open

Congress 2023 Abstract submissions open

The PATS & ReSoK Congress 2023 Scientific Committee invites the submission of abstracts to be considered for oral and poster presentations.

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PATS and ERS Paediatric webinar: TB and MDR TB in children

PATS and ERS Paediatric webinar: TB and MDR TB in children

The PATS and ERS paediatric webinar series continues, with a TB and MDR TB in children: New approaches to treatment webinar on 12 December 2022. 

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