MOI set to begin performing neurosurgery

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanians, mostly those involved in road accidents, will now be able to save up to 83 per cent of what they spend to receive specialised neurosurgical operations abroad, thanks to an initiative by the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI).

This is a huge sigh of relief in a country where road accidents are one of the major causes of death.

A 2017 research by the National Institute for Medical Research (Nimri) showed that 247,976 people died in Tanzania during the period between 2006 and 2015 due to Malaria, Lower Respiratory Infections, HIV/Aids and road accidents.

Tanzania has only eight neurosurgeons against a demand of at least 10,000.

The eight are undergoing an intensive four-day course that seeks to equip them with skills to undertake neurosurgical activities up to the required standards.

The Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute executive director, Dr Repicious Boniface, said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the Neurosurgery, Neurotrauma and Critical Care Course will culminate in the official launch of neurosurgical operations at the hospital.

“This course intends to establish local neurosurgical experts who will use their knowledge and competence to work on local cases. On average, one needs at least Sh60 million to undergo a neurosurgical operation abroad. However, locally the most expensive case will cost Sh10 million,” he said.

According to him, the MOI receives at least four or five patients seeking neurosurgical operations, suggesting that in a month the number could climb to over one hundred, mostly those who have been involved in various road accidents.

During the training, which also involves other neurosurgeons from within and outside Africa, the experts are also being trained on cerebral aneurysm.

“This is being conducted for the first time in the country,” he said.

Also known as intracranial aneurysm or brain aneurysm, cerebral aneurysm refers to a bulging, weakened area in the wall of an artery in the brain that results in an abnormal widening, ballooning, or bleb. Because there is a weakened spot in the aneurysm wall, there is a risk for rupture (bursting) of the aneurysm.

He said for several years, Dar es Salaam Neurotrauma Course had trained young surgeons and nurses on essential, up-to-date techniques and evidence-based management principles for brain and spinal trauma relevant for the country.

“This year, we extend our agenda to include dedicated sessions in skill-based anatomy and surgery. It also includes discussions on neurotrauma management that is based on an audit from local database, an overview of clinical research and ethical review processing to equip our own experts,” he said.

The executive director of Neurological Surgery from the University of Weill Cornell in the US, Dr Roger Hartl, said the goal was to ensure that the trainees were able to manage traumatic brain and spinal injury in emergency rooms locally, among others.

The four-day training course ends on Friday.