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The 18th World Congress of Neurosurgery was held in Cape Town, South Africa, from December 4 to 8, 2023. The event brought together over 10,000 neurosurgeons from all over the world to discuss the latest advances in the field of neurosurgery.
This year, Africa was particularly well represented at the congress. Over 1,000 African neurosurgeons attended the event, representing a 20% increase on the previous year. This growth is a sign of the positive evolution of neurosurgery in Africa. The continent has a growing number of qualified neurosurgeons, and neurosurgical training programs are expanding.
The congress was organized by the World Federation of Neurosurgery (WFNS), an international organization representing neurosurgeons worldwide. The congress was divided into several sessions, each devoted to a particular area of neurosurgery.
The congress was an opportunity for African neurosurgeons to present their work and network with their counterparts from around the world.
Sessions dedicated to Africa
The congress included several sessions dedicated to Africa. These sessions discussed the specific challenges facing African neurosurgeons, such as lack of resources, poverty and endemic diseases.
One session in particular was devoted to pediatric neurosurgery in Africa. Participants discussed the specific needs of African children, including congenital malformations, head trauma and brain tumors.
Another session focused on neurosurgery in developing countries. Participants discussed ways of improving access to neurosurgical care in these countries.
The congress was also an opportunity for neurosurgeons to meet and share experiences. Participants had the opportunity to attend workshops, take part in discussions and visit exhibitions.
The congress was a major success, helping to advance neurosurgery worldwide. It also provided a unique opportunity for neurosurgeons to learn about the latest advances in their field and connect with colleagues from around the world. Africa’s growing participation in the World Congress of Neurosurgery is an encouraging sign. It shows that neurosurgery in Africa is thriving, and playing an increasingly important role in the global field.
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Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.
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