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Vol. 37. Issue 4.
(July - August 2026)
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Vol. 37. Issue 4.
(July - August 2026)
Investigación clínica

Formación neuroquirúrgica en África. Parte 2: desafíos y soluciones para un acceso equitativo a la neurocirugía

Neurosurgical training in Africa. Part 2: Challenges and solutions for equitable access to neurosurgery
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Ruben Rodríguez-Menaa,b,
Corresponding author
rodriguez_rubmen@gva.es

Autor para correspondencia.
, José Piquer-Martíneza,c, Maria Jose García-Rubioa, José Luis Llácer-Ortegab, Mubashir Qureshi Mahmoodd, Jose Piquer-Bellochb,c
a Cátedra VIU NED en Neurociencia Global y Cambio Social, Universidad Internacional de Valencia, 46002, Valencia, España
b Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario de la Ribera, Ctra. Corbera, km 1, 46600 Alzira, Valencia, España
c Fundación NED, Calle Tenor Alonso, 46110, Godella, España
d Sección de Neurocirugía, Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Universitario Aga Khan, Nairobi, Kenia
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Resumen
Antecedentes y objetivo

El acceso equitativo a la neurocirugía sigue siendo un desafío crítico en África del Este, debido a la escasez de especialistas y la falta de programas formativos estructurados. En esta segunda parte, se analiza el modelo «Equipar, Tratar y Educar» (ETE), desarrollado por la Fundación Neurocirugía Educación y Desarrollo (NED), para promover, en colaboración con el Colegio de Cirujanos de África del Este-Central y del Sur (COSECSA), una formación neuroquirúrgica sostenible en entornos con recursos limitados. Se presentan además una serie de iniciativas innovadoras con impacto educativo y social.

Materiales y métodos

Se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de las actividades de la Fundación NED entre 2008 y 2024, con especial énfasis en las acciones llevadas a cabo en el Instituto NED en Zanzíbar. El análisis incluyó datos clínicos, programas de formación, cooperación institucional y resultados vinculados al modelo ETE, estructurado en tres niveles de complejidad creciente.

Resultados

Durante el periodo analizado, el Instituto NED atendió a más de 30.000 pacientes y realizó 2.537 cirugías gratuitas, siendo la hidrocefalia la patología más tratada. En paralelo, se organizaron más de 30 cursos de formación médica y de enfermería. Además, se proponen trece iniciativas educativas clave para fortalecer las capacidades locales, incluyendo talleres prácticos, simulaciones quirúrgicas, mentoría, estancias rotatorias, intercambios internacionales, becas, formación online y desarrollo de recursos abiertos. Estas acciones pueden mejorar la calidad de la formación, favorecer la retención del talento y consolidar redes profesionales en la región.

Conclusiones

El modelo ETE, junto con las iniciativas educativas promovidas por la Fundación NED y COSECSA, constituye una estrategia eficaz y replicable para fortalecer la formación neuroquirúrgica en países de bajos ingresos. Este enfoque impulsa el desarrollo profesional local y permite avanzar hacia una neurocirugía más accesible, equitativa y sostenible.

Palabras clave:
África del Este
Cooperación internacional en salud
Formación médica especializada
Práctica deliberada
Mentoría
Neurocirugía global
Abstract
Background and objective

Equitable access to neurosurgery remains a critical challenge in East Africa, due to the shortage of specialists and the lack of structured training programs. In this second part, the “Equip, Treat, and Educate” (ETE) model, developed by the NED Foundation, is analyzed to promote sustainable neurosurgical training in resource-limited settings, in collaboration with COSECSA. A series of innovative initiatives with educational and social impact are also presented.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of the NED Foundation's activities between 2008 and 2024 was conducted, with special emphasis on actions carried out at the NED Institute in Zanzibar. The analysis included clinical data, training programs, institutional cooperation, and outcomes associated with the ETE model, which is structured into three levels of increasing complexity.

Results

During the analyzed period, the NED Institute attended to more than 30,000 patients and performed 2,537 free surgeries, with hydrocephalus being the most frequently treated condition. In parallel, more than 30 medical and nursing training courses were organized. In addition, thirteen key educational initiatives are proposed to strengthen local capacities, including practical workshops, surgical simulations, mentorship, rotational placements, international exchanges, scholarships, online training, and the development of open resources. These actions can enhance training quality, promote talent retention, and strengthen professional networks in the region.

Conclusions

The ETE model, in conjunction with the educational initiatives promoted by the NED Foundation and COSECSA, constitutes an effective and replicable strategy for strengthening neurosurgical training in low-income countries. This approach drives local professional development and enables progress toward more accessible, equitable, and sustainable neurosurgery.

Keywords:
East Africa
International health cooperation
Specialized medical training
Deliberate practice
Mentorship
Global neurosurgery

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