Neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical review
Abstract Background The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a Central African country with the second largest surface area and the fourth largest population on the continent. DRC has witnessed numerous innovations and faced several challenges including health, economic, and social crises. Research...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41984-024-00329-x |
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| author | Kantenga Dieu Merci Kabulo Ntshindj Sarah Mutomb Kingombe Yengayenga Safari Paterne Mudegereza Glennie Ntsambi Neba Antoine Beltchika Kazadi Kaluile Ntenga Kalangu Jeff Ntalaja |
| author_facet | Kantenga Dieu Merci Kabulo Ntshindj Sarah Mutomb Kingombe Yengayenga Safari Paterne Mudegereza Glennie Ntsambi Neba Antoine Beltchika Kazadi Kaluile Ntenga Kalangu Jeff Ntalaja |
| author_sort | Kantenga Dieu Merci Kabulo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a Central African country with the second largest surface area and the fourth largest population on the continent. DRC has witnessed numerous innovations and faced several challenges including health, economic, and social crises. Research question This historical review aims to outline major developments in DRC neurosurgical practice with an emphasis on challenges and potential solutions. Material and methods This historical review was compiled using data from stakeholder interviews, grey literature (health policy and event documentation at the hospital, provincial, and national levels) and peer-reviewed document analysis. The authors used triangulation to verify the data collected by each method and the final data were abstracted and presented narratively. Results The first neurosurgery unit was established in the capital, Kinshasa, in 1979. This centre aimed to provide much needed neurosurgical services and training with the limited resources available at the time. As of July 2023, DRC has 19 neurosurgeons including 2 of female gender. Four neurosurgeons from the diaspora deliver care part-time supplementing the local specialist workforce and 7 residents are enrolled at the University of Kinshasa residency programme. In addition, there are at least 22 DRC residents training in other centres worldwide. Conclusions DRC neurosurgery has faced numerous challenges, some of which have been overcome in the past decade. The recent improvements are encouraging for this country of more than 95 million inhabitants but more effort and time will be needed to fully overcome existing challenges. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c63647efe0ae4b388d795af6f734a9b2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2520-8225 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-c63647efe0ae4b388d795af6f734a9b22025-08-20T02:39:34ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Neurosurgery2520-82252024-12-013911910.1186/s41984-024-00329-xNeurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical reviewKantenga Dieu Merci Kabulo0Ntshindj Sarah Mutomb1Kingombe Yengayenga2Safari Paterne Mudegereza3Glennie Ntsambi Neba4Antoine Beltchika5Kazadi Kaluile Ntenga Kalangu6Jeff Ntalaja7Jason Sendwe General Provincial HospitalNeurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, University of LubumbashiJason Sendwe General Provincial HospitalBukavu General Provincial HospitalUnité de Neurochirurgie, Cliniques Universitaires de KinshasaUnité de Neurochirurgie, Cliniques Universitaires de KinshasaDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of ZimbabweClinique NgaliemaAbstract Background The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a Central African country with the second largest surface area and the fourth largest population on the continent. DRC has witnessed numerous innovations and faced several challenges including health, economic, and social crises. Research question This historical review aims to outline major developments in DRC neurosurgical practice with an emphasis on challenges and potential solutions. Material and methods This historical review was compiled using data from stakeholder interviews, grey literature (health policy and event documentation at the hospital, provincial, and national levels) and peer-reviewed document analysis. The authors used triangulation to verify the data collected by each method and the final data were abstracted and presented narratively. Results The first neurosurgery unit was established in the capital, Kinshasa, in 1979. This centre aimed to provide much needed neurosurgical services and training with the limited resources available at the time. As of July 2023, DRC has 19 neurosurgeons including 2 of female gender. Four neurosurgeons from the diaspora deliver care part-time supplementing the local specialist workforce and 7 residents are enrolled at the University of Kinshasa residency programme. In addition, there are at least 22 DRC residents training in other centres worldwide. Conclusions DRC neurosurgery has faced numerous challenges, some of which have been overcome in the past decade. The recent improvements are encouraging for this country of more than 95 million inhabitants but more effort and time will be needed to fully overcome existing challenges.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41984-024-00329-xDemocratic Republic of CongoGlobal neurosurgeryHistoryWorkforce |
| spellingShingle | Kantenga Dieu Merci Kabulo Ntshindj Sarah Mutomb Kingombe Yengayenga Safari Paterne Mudegereza Glennie Ntsambi Neba Antoine Beltchika Kazadi Kaluile Ntenga Kalangu Jeff Ntalaja Neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical review Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery Democratic Republic of Congo Global neurosurgery History Workforce |
| title | Neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical review |
| title_full | Neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical review |
| title_fullStr | Neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical review |
| title_short | Neurosurgery in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a historical review |
| title_sort | neurosurgery in the democratic republic of congo a historical review |
| topic | Democratic Republic of Congo Global neurosurgery History Workforce |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41984-024-00329-x |
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