How many of us were ever taught that the modern-day “cesarean section” surgical procedure was practiced in Africa as early as the 13th century, long before the arrival of European doctors? #AfricaDay2020 
In 1879, Scottish medical anthropologist Robert W. Felkin witnessed a cesarean section performed by a Ugandan surgeon on a young woman in the Bunyoro kingdom. The patient recovered well, and Felkin concluded the technique was well-developed and had existed for a long time.
The healer used banana wine to semi-intoxicate the woman and to cleanse his hands and her abdomen prior to surgery. This was during the reign of Omukama Kabalega Chwa II, a powerful king who fought against the British forces for nine years and reclaimed several lost territories.
During his reign, people were also immunized against endemic syphilis by traditional methods. Similar reports of c-sections came from present-day Rwanda, where botanicals were used to anesthetize the patient and promote wound healing.
I was so pleased to see this, and several other examples of unappreciated African history at the Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar, Senegal last year .
You can read more on this history here: bit.ly/3c0Bw2z and here: bit.ly/2yzkWt6
