A Toast to the Hearts Behind the Stethoscopes: Mother's Day Tribute

Apologies for the delayed release.

To the Mamas Who Do It All

This weekend, we pause to honour the incredible women who navigate motherhood with the same grace, courage, and fierce determination they bring to registrar time.

To our colleagues who juggle the chaos of call schedules with school drop-offs, who go from high-risk cases to high-chair tantrums—this is for you. Your persistence humbles us. Your multitasking amazes us. Your ability to show compassion at work and still have more to give at home? Unsurpassed.

Shout-Out to Our Supermoms (and Grandmothers, Guardians & Mother-Figures). Whether you’re a biological mom, a mom-to-be, a stepmom, a guardian, or the “mom friend” of the department—you are seen, appreciated, and deeply admired. And to those for whom Mother’s Day is tender or complicated: our hearts are with you too.

Motivational Playlist

Well it is now midweek. Here's my playlist titled wake up happy!

We’re halfway through the week, and maybe things haven’t gone exactly as planned. A whole hump day. Maybe you’re tired, behind schedule, or just feeling the weight of routine. But here’s the truth: Wednesdays are a pivot point. You can choose to coast—or you can decide to lean in.

This is where resilience is built. Not at the start when motivation is fresh, and not at the finish line when success is in sight—but right here, in the middle, when you choose to keep going even when no one’s watching.

Remind yourself why you started. Take a breath. Realign your focus. And know that progress is often quiet, steady, and unglamorous—but powerful.

You've already made it this far. Momentum is on your side.

Now, finish strong.

Introduction

This month we have had two wonderful doctors join our team along with new intern doctors as well.

Our new medical officer Dr Zahra Vahed and registrar Dr Lucy Vanessa Ntambi. Please keep an eye out for them and help them settle into our circuit.

Attached is our now available introduction pack.

Recipe inspiration for the week

🍙 Tuna Onigiri

Makes: 4 onigiri | Ready in: 20–25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked sushi rice (can mix in shirataki rice to reduce calories)
• 1½ cups water
• 1 can (170g) tuna in brine, drained
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise (Kewpie works best here)
• 1 tsp soy sauce or a dash of Aromat or Mrs Ball's chuntney
• Salt to taste
• Optional: Nori (seaweed sheets), sesame seeds, or chopped spring onion for garnish (Furikake works best here)

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Add to pot with water and cook covered on low heat until soft (about 15–18 mins). Let it cool slightly.
2. In a bowl, mix drained tuna with mayonnaise and soy sauce (and additional seasonings).
3. Wet your hands lightly with sesame seed oil (prevents rice from sticking). Take a handful of rice, flatten it slightly, add 1 tsp tuna filling in the centre, and shape into a triangle or ball. Alternatively use a mould. (link to Takealot)
4. Wrap with a small strip of nori if using. Repeat for all four.
5. Store in cling wrap or eat fresh.

Estimated Macros (per onigiri, if you make 4):

• Calories: ~180 kcal
• Protein: 10g
• Carbs: 25g
• Fat: 5g
• Fibre: ~1g

For more protein: Add extra tuna or serve with a boiled egg. Feel free to change up the filling. Lots of delicious combinations can be created!
For less fat: Use low-fat mayo or plain Greek yoghurt.

This week's reading

If you're involved in airway management, (hint hint) the WFSA's Anaesthesia Tutorial of the Week (ATOTW 546) is a must-read. It is titled “Use of Supraglottic Airways (SGAs) as Rescue Devices, Conduits for Tracheal Intubation, and Other Special Cases”. It provides a practical and up-to-date overview of how LMAs have evolved and their critical role in our daily practice.

The article highlights the different generations of LMAs—from basic first-generation devices to advanced third-generation options with video guidance—and discusses their applications as rescue devices, intubation conduits, and tools in special situations like obstetrics or prone positioning.

Whether you’re a intern or a consultant, this tutorial brings valuable insights into improving patient safety, optimizing airway strategies, and understanding the nuances of device selection. It's brief, clinically relevant, and highly recommended for keeping your practice current.

Use of Supraglottic Airways (SGAs) as Rescue Devices, Conduits for Tracheal Intubation (TI), and Other Special Cases

Use of Supraglottic Airways (SGAs) as Rescue Devices, Conduits for Tracheal Intubation (TI), and Other Special Cases : Virtual Library |

WFSA Resource LibraryCorresponding author email:

Friday academics

The newsletter returned yesterday just in time to update everyone about the postponement of this week's academics which was supposed to be presented by yours truly.

Initial presentation would have been on off pump CABG to be rescheduled to a date that will be later communicated.

In its place, we have ITC training and a recap of the now updated ITC system.