Thread by @WorldNeurosurg

A thread on Neurosurgery in Nigeria.

Looking back at the records, the history of neurosurgery in Nigeria can be best divided into pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras.
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The pre-colonial period includes the years before 1861, the colonial period transpired 1861-1960 and the post-colonial continues after 1960.
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Available data concerning various neurosurgical diseases & practices are still very scant, more so during the precolonial & colonial eras, where healers concentrated on the development of an integrated body of knowledge for a more efficient explanation & treatment of illness.

However, the period after 1960, starting precisely in October 1962, saw the commencement of a formal neurosurgical practice at the premier University College Hospital in Ibadan by Dr. Latunde Odeku - First Neurosurgeon in Nigeria, trained in the USA. #WorldNeurosurgeryWithAliyu

The other Neurosurgeons who also trained abroad and came back after him were — Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam who trained in both the UK & USA, and also happens to be the author of Geographical Neurosurgery (first online book of the @CNS_Update) #WorldNeurosurgeryWithAliyu

And also Prof. Temitayo Shokunbi who trained in Canada, and Prof. B.B Shehu who trained in Ireland. #WorldNeurosurgeryWithAliyu

Prof. B.B Shehu immediately began training young doctors in Neurosurgery at Ahmed Bello University before moving to Usman Danfodio University to establish the first training center in Northern Nigeria, and later on the first Level 1 Trauma Center in West Africa located in Abuja.

The @RockefellerFdn sponsored the first formal neurosurgical program in Nigeria. The foundation established an academic facility for neurosurgeons at the University of Ibadan in October 1962. The late Dr. Latunde Odeku spearheaded the unit.
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Neurosurgery has had a stunted growth in the first half century of its existence in post-colonial Nigeria. Significant progress was made over the last two decades, in terms of equipment and development of local talent.
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Neurosurgery has made substantial innovations in Nigeria. Over 50 neurosurgeons trained locally in the last 10 years and Nigeria produced the first female neurosurgeon in West Africa. #WorldNeurosurgeryWithAliyu #GlobalNeurosurgery
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Neurosurgical residency training is experiencing considerable growth. Each year, a minimum of 5 to 10 neurosurgeons are added to the pool in the country. Starting from 2 training centers 15 years ago, there are now about 10 training centers in Nigeria. #WorldNeurosurgeryWithAliyu

Neurosurgery in Nigeria, like in all other developing countries, is faced with huge funding gaps which is the major challenge. All the centers in Nigeria are mainly practicing general neurosurgery with trauma dominating the list. 
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There is urgent need for sub-specialization in areas of Neurovascular, Neuro-oncology, Pediatric Neurosurgery and Minimal Invasive Neurosurgery. #WorldNeurosurgeryWithAliyu

There are very few State owned centers and only one privately owned training center that offer resident training locally. Therefore, there is need for more training centers to be accredited in order to increase the talent needed in the country. #WorldNeurosurgeryWithAliyu

Nigeria hosted the 3rd Congress of the Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies in Abuja @2018Caans.
In attendance were neurosurgeons from 22 different African countries and 13 other countries outside the continent.
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Read the original article here (reference) - aansneurosurgeon.org/inside-neurosu…