Fulfilling Need for Neurosurgical Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: Initial Angola-Brazil Training Experience

BACKGROUND: Although Africa accounts for 15% of the global volume of neurosurgical disease, African hospitals and health care networks have access to <1% of the neurosurgeon community. Health care and neurosurgical care are particularly scarce in sub-Saharan Africa due to long periods of imperialism, civil war, poverty, and famines that have plagued the area. METHODS: We provide a historical perspective and initial experience of the development of neurosurgery in Angola. RESULTS: The Republic of Angola has the seventh largest territory in Africa and a population of approximately 29 million people; however, it has a severe deficit of neurosurgery specialists. Between 1975 and 2012, only 5 neurosurgeons practiced in the country. We report the initial experience of the first Angolan physician who completed a full neurosurgical residency in Brazil through the Hospital das Clinicas-University of Sao Paulo Medical School international medical training program. The challenges of fulfilling the need for neurosurgical services and the future perspectives of building a sustainable program in Angola are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Partnerships between developing countries and sub-Saharan African countries may be the starting point in supplying neurosurgical specialists to the countries in need.