‘Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia’ welcomes submissions on its new AOSIS platform
The Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia (SAJAA), the official journal of the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA), is proud to announce its new partnership with AOSIS, bringing enhanced visibility, streamlined processes, and a modern digital platform to its contributors and readers.
As announced in our earlier press release regarding the journal’s transfer to AOSIS, this transition marks an exciting new chapter for the Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia (SAJAA), ensuring its continued growth and global reach.
As the leading platform for anaesthesia, critical care, and pain medicine in Southern Africa, the Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia (SAJAA) invites you to submit your research and join us in advancing safe, evidence-based anaesthesia care across the region and beyond.
To mark this exciting milestone, we spoke with the journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Prof Sandra Spijkerman, who shared her vision for SAJAA’s future and the opportunities this transition brings for authors, reviewers, and readers alike.
About the journal
1. Can you provide a brief overview of the Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia (SAJAA) and its significance in the field?
SAJAA is the official journal of the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) and the leading platform for sharing research, innovations, and clinical experiences in anaesthesia, critical care, and pain medicine across Southern Africa.
Its significance lies in reflecting the realities of our region – the advances, challenges, and ingenuity of delivering safe anaesthesia care in diverse and resource-variable settings. SAJAA connects African research with international audiences, promotes academic growth, and gives a global voice to African anaesthetists whose work shapes practice and policy.
2. What are some of the key topics or themes the journal has focused on over the years?
SAJAA covers the full spectrum of anaesthesia and perioperative care, including clinical anaesthesia, pain management, critical care, airway management, regional techniques, and patient safety.
The journal also highlights issues unique to our region – such as the training of non-specialist anaesthesia providers, perioperative outcomes in low- and middle-income settings, resource-appropriate technology, and locally developed guidelines. Increasingly, SAJAA features work on quality improvement and health systems strengthening, bridging clinical practice with broader healthcare impact.
3. How has the journal evolved since its inception, and what milestones are you most proud of?
Since its inception, SAJAA has grown from a national publication into a respected regional journal with international reach. Key milestones include the establishment of a rigorous peer-review process, growth in submissions from across Africa and abroad, and partnerships that support editorial capacity building.
We are particularly proud of initiatives that nurture new researchers and reviewers, such as the reviewer development workshop hosted in conjunction with editorial board members of Anesthesia & Analgesia at the 2024 All Africa Anaesthesia Congress. These efforts reflect our commitment to growing both the quality and influence of African anaesthesia scholarship.
4. What role does the journal play in advancing research and clinical practice in Southern Africa and beyond?
SAJAA serves as both a bridge and a voice for the region. It provides anaesthetists in Southern Africa with a platform to publish research that directly informs safer and more effective clinical practice.
For registrars, it offers visibility for MMed research and helps develop future clinician-scientists. Internationally, SAJAA ensures that African perspectives contribute to the global evidence base on patient safety, innovation in constrained settings, and systems improvement – areas where our region leads by necessity and creativity.
About the Editor-in-Chief
1. What inspired you to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief?
I was inspired to take on the role because I believe strongly in the power of academic publishing to drive progress in anaesthesia. SAJAA represents more than a journal – it is a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange.
Having worked in both clinical anaesthesia and academic training, I have seen how regional research can meaningfully influence practice when shared effectively. My goal was to strengthen that bridge and ensure that African scholarship is recognised and valued globally.
2. What is your vision for the journal under your leadership?
My vision is to consolidate SAJAA’s position as the leading voice for anaesthesia and perioperative medicine in Africa – one defined by scientific rigour, ethical publishing, and relevance to our healthcare realities.
I aim to expand its reach through stronger regional and international collaboration, mentorship for emerging researchers, and accessible publication processes. Ultimately, I want SAJAA to be recognised globally for showcasing African excellence and innovation that improves patient outcomes.
3. What do you find most rewarding about your role as Editor-in-Chief?
The spirit of collaboration – connecting clinicians, educators, and researchers who share a commitment to advancing anaesthesia in Africa. Each publication represents collective progress and a growing recognition of African scholarship worldwide.
4. What advice would you give to aspiring researchers and authors?
Approach publication as a meaningful contribution to improving care, not just as an academic requirement. Choose research questions that matter in your clinical context – those addressing real challenges often have the most impact.
Be transparent in your reporting and receptive to feedback. Seek mentorship, write with peers, and take advantage of workshops offered by SAJAA and SASA. Most importantly, believe that your voice matters. African research brings critical insights to the global stage, and SAJAA exists to ensure they are heard.
About the transfer to AOSIS
1. What excites you most about the journal’s transfer to AOSIS?
The transfer to AOSIS marks an exciting new chapter that will expand SAJAA’s visibility, efficiency, and international reach. AOSIS has a strong record of supporting open-access African scholarship and brings robust publishing infrastructure, improved digital access, and professional editorial support.
This partnership enhances our ability to disseminate high-quality research globally while maintaining the journal’s core mission and integrity.
2. How will this transition benefit the journal, its contributors, and its readers?
For authors, the transition means a smoother, more transparent submission and review process, with faster turnaround times and greater global discoverability.
For readers, it offers a modernised, mobile-friendly platform with improved navigation, accessibility, and metrics to track article impact.
Overall, AOSIS strengthens SAJAA’s sustainability, visibility, and ability to amplify African anaesthesia research worldwide.
3. What changes or improvements can readers and authors expect?
Readers and authors will notice tangible improvements – streamlined workflows, clearer communication, and faster publication timelines. We will be working towards enhanced indexing that will increase citation potential and global visibility.
AOSIS also offers a more intuitive digital platform with attractive layouts and enhanced analytics, providing a richer experience for both readers and contributors.
4. How will the journal maintain its identity and legacy while embracing these new opportunities?
SAJAA’s identity is grounded in its commitment to advancing safe, relevant, and equitable anaesthesia care in Africa. Joining AOSIS strengthens that mission rather than altering it.
We will continue to uphold editorial independence, rigorous peer review, and a focus on regionally meaningful research. Through AOSIS, we gain the tools to share that work more widely – preserving our voice while amplifying its reach.
5. What message would you like to share with current and prospective authors, reviewers, and readers?
This new chapter represents both continuity and growth. Our mission remains unchanged – to advance safe, evidence-based anaesthesia through rigorous research – but our capacity to do so is greater than ever.
To our authors, keep sharing the innovations and experiences that shape anaesthesia in Africa.
To our reviewers, thank you for your expertise and commitment to quality.
To our readers, we promise continued access to relevant, credible, and inspiring content.
Together, we are building a globally connected platform that celebrates African scholarship and drives clinical excellence.
Looking ahead
1. What are your goals for the journal in the next few years?
In the coming years, my focus is on growth, mentorship, and impact. We plan to strengthen author and reviewer development through targeted training and expand collaborations with leading international journals.
With AOSIS, we aim to enhance digital accessibility, indexing, and discoverability, and innovation in resource-limited settings.
Ultimately, I envision SAJAA as an inclusive, globally respected journal that reflects the excellence and ingenuity of African anaesthesia.
2. How do you see the journal contributing to the global conversation in anaesthesia and analgesia research?
SAJAA ensures that African experiences and innovations form part of the global evidence base. Research from our region offers insights into patient safety, training, and innovation in diverse healthcare environments.
By publishing this work, SAJAA broadens understanding of how anaesthesia can be delivered safely in all contexts, challenges assumptions, and informs international guidelines. It also serves as a connector – fostering collaboration between African and global researchers to advance equitable anaesthesia care worldwide.
With insights from the Editor-in-Chief, it’s clear that SAJAA’s move to AOSIS represents both continuity and growth. The journal remains committed to its mission of advancing safe and equitable anaesthesia care while embracing new opportunities for global visibility and collaboration.
Join us in this exciting new chapter for SAJAA. Submit your research today and help shape the future of anaesthesia in Africa while amplifying African scholarship on the global stage.
Quick links for SAJAA
Open access publishing
AOSIS is an open-access publisher which means that all journal content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author.