Neurosurgery in Sub-Saharan Africa - Historical Background and Development of Training Programs in East Africa.

Abstract

Modern Neurosurgery in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has its roots in the 1960s when Neurosurgeons from Europe set up Units in WestAfrica and East Africa. While it would be unfair to give credit to some individuals, and inadvertently not naming others, Prof AbdeslamEl Khamlichi (1) in his book, "Emerging Neurosurgery in Africa," quoting Professor AdelolaAdeloye (2), provided a valuable account:A French Neurosurgeon, Dr. Courson, set up the first neurosurgical unit in West Africa in Senegal in 1967. He was joined by two otherFrench neurosurgeons, Dr. Claude Cournil and Dr. Alliez, in 1972 and 1975. They trained the first Senegalese Neurosurgeon, Dr.Mamadou Gueye, who joined as a trainee in 1977. Dr. Gueye was to become the first Senegalese Professor and Chairman of theNeurosurgery Department.