Neurosurgery Mission to Dar es Salaam and Bugando, 2011 (Part 1)

By Dr. David Rubin, Cornell Neurosurgery Resident  Part 1: 2nd International African Federation of Neurological Surgeons (AFNS) course in Dar Es Salaam and visit to Bugando Hospital In January 2011, neurosurgeons from around the world participated in the 2nd annual African Federation of Neurological Surgeons meeting held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The program was started to share current management and surgical techniques with practicing surgeons in East Africa. More than 50 neurosurgeons, neurosurgical residents and neurological nurses from throughout the region attended.  Support for the course was generously provided by AOSpine, Madaktari Africa, Synthes Spine, The Brain and Spine Center at Weill Cornell Medical College and others. The course was opened by President Kikwete of Tanzania who spoke about the dire need for neurosurgeons in Tanzania and  thanked Weill Cornell neurosurgeon Roger Härtl M.D. for his efforts in helping to design a sustainable neurosurgical presence in Tanzania.   weill.cornell.edu/globalhealth/AFNS_Brochure.pdf   Course organizers (left to right) Dr. Moody Quereshi (a neurosurgeon from Kenya), Dr. Roger Hartl, the Minister of Health, and President Kikwete of Tanzania 

  Dr. Randy Chesnut from Seattle instructing course participants on spinal surgery techniques.                Professor Paul Young from the University of St. Louis teaching brain anatomy to course participants.                          Throughout the week, lectures were given by distinguished faculty from the U.S., Canada, India and other countries focusing on the management of brain trauma, oncology, and spinal trauma. The intensive three-day didactics were followed by two days in the lab where participants had the opportunity to practice the techniques learned during the course. Many of the participating faculty also assisted with cases at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar Es Salaam. Feedback from course participants was overwhelmingly positive and we are looking forward to the 3rd AFNS next year!   Professor Volker Sonntag, a pioneer of neurosurgical spine surgery, teaches African neurosurgeons about spinal anatomy