the ashanti graham health and education intiative foundation

Dr Douglas Okor recently donated a microscope and other equipment to the Department of Surgery University of Benin. This altruistic gesture which came to fruition under the auspices of the foundation is highly commendable. Its a small step in the right direction to assist in the development of neurosurgical services at UniBen. The picture shows Douglas (left) presenting a projector to the Head of Department. Dr Udor, neurosurgeon is seen in the background.

case reviews

This blog is useful for discussions on interesting cases which could be learning points for us. If you have a case thats confounding or difficult you could share it here and hopefully get advice and opinion from someone who may have dealt with something similar. Pictures and videos can be loaded easily so makes it really worthwhile and a useful educational tool.

I will find a case I can share with you soon.

Biodun

Recent publication from Nnewi

Hi there
This article below is one of the most enjoyable articles I have read recently. It relates to my earlier post and a start in the need to document the state of affairs in Neurosurgery. We do need to define where we are, the problems facing us and then we can form a pressure group to benchmark the changes required. This article is a welcome addition to the literature. Biodun

Neurosurgery in Nigeria--an evaluation of the perception of health personnel in a new centre and a comparison of the Nigerian situation with that of other African states.
Emejulu JK.

Department of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University & Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

CONCLUSION: Neurosurgical service in Nigeria is grossly inadequate both in availability and quality, and these have resulted from bad government policies. It is therefore of utmost necessity that services and training be urgently provided in this specialty, at least in the tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Nigerian Neurosurgeons

The leaders of the Nigerian Neurosurgical community that I know and have been in contact with are as listed below.

Professor Adeloye, Professor Arigbabu, Professor Shokunbi, Professor Ohaegbulam, Mr. Shehu, Malomo, etc etc.

However, there are without doubt many more practising all over the world: quietly contributing their quota in their local areas and internationally.

We need to start writing about the past, the present and the future of neurosurgery in Nigeria for posterity. This activity starts from a recognition of our elders, documentation of their contributions, and should lead to stimulating discussions and constructive engagement in documenting the history of Neurosurgery in Nigeria. There are now many more units in Nigeria and some are still in infancy. However, this is the time to start a chronicle of all the units and start collecting the names, pictures and record of achievements in each neurosurgical centre for the future. The young and the older neurosurgeons have a role to play. We are in a unique position to continue the excellent work done by our predecessors. We have to rise to the occasion and start another renaissance of Neurosurgery in Nigeria.

There are currently about 24 neurosurgeons practising in Nigeria and countless more working in other countries all over the world. What we need to do is link up and start real dialogue, social networking and educational programs to stimulate further development of Neurosurgery in Nigeria.

This I hope is a small beginning on this long long road.

Please email me details of Nigerian Neurosurgeons that you know so I can invite them to the blog. You can also invite them anyway and we can use this forum (restricted at the moment to neurosurgeons only) to communicate.

I will hopefully meet and document many more names as this blog develops.

Biodun