The availability and accessibility of neurosurgical care across Africa remains limited despite recent advancements. Overall, Africa accounts for 15% of the global neurosurgical disease burden but has access to less than 1% of neurosurgeons globally. While the number of neurosurgeons has increased in recent decades, huge workforce shortages remain, with the region facing the second-largest neurosurgical deficit. Access to adequate facilities and equipment is also lacking. Barriers like poverty, conflicts, and distance from care centres negatively impact patients’ ability to access services. However, training programs like the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Rabat Training Center have contributed to building local capacity. Use of technologies like neuro-endoscopy is expanding access to more cost-effective interventions for conditions such as hydrocephalus. Undergraduate medical education is also seeing a rise in African students interested in neurosurgery. Despite these advancements, workforce shortfalls, inadequate infrastructure, and challenges posed by geopolitical instability continue to hinder the provision of comprehensive neurosurgical care. Limited research and funding discourage experienced surgeons from practicing in their home countries. Increased international collaboration, support for education, and tackling of structural issues are needed to continue strengthening Africa’s neurosurgical capacity and reducing the disease burden. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the current state of neurosurgery on the continent, highlight achievements, and identify persisting challenges.

Trofinetide is the first drug approved by the FDA to treat Rett Syndrome in children aged 2 years or above. The drug significantly improved Rett syndrome behavioral scores Rett syndrome behavioral questionnaire in clinical studies. Although further research is needed to assess potential adverse events, Trofinetide’s notable efficacy signifies a significant advancement in Rett syndrome treatment, offering a new therapeutic avenue with the potential to ameliorate the condition.

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Poliovirus is a deadly disease that needs to be eradicated in the world. Recently, issues with circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been raised in the country. This article aims to determine the increase in Type 1 cVDPV1 and Type 2 cVDPV2 in the DRC. Relevant articles on PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Web of Science were searched from 2010 to 2023. Our findings indicate that the Democratic Republic of Congo has struggled with polio outbreaks, with the virus primarily linked to cVDPVs produced from vaccines rather than wild poliovirus. These cVDPVs have the potential to revert to their paralyzing capabilities by evolving from the weakened virus seen in the oral polio vaccination (OPV). Several regions in DRC have reported cVDPV outbreaks of cVDPVs. Numerous cVDPV2 outbreaks were documented in various provinces during the 2017–2018 period. Addressing the cVDPV outbreak in the DRC requires a concerted global effort, involving collaboration among governments, international health organizations, and donor agencies. There should be global support and collaboration among governments, international health organizations, and donor agencies to address the cVDPV outbreak in the DRC.

Malaria is a significant public health challenge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), with a high prevalence and mortality rate, particularly among children under five years old. This study examines the impact of malaria in eastern DR Congo, where armed conflict and humanitarian crises have resulted in overcrowded refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, exacerbating malaria transmission. Malnutrition, limited access to healthcare, and poor living conditions makes children under the age of five particularly vulnerable. Despite attempts by organizations such as the World Health Organization and various non-governmental organizations to supply insecticide-treated bed nets and antimalarial drugs, implementation in refugee camps is impeded by war, resource constraints, and insufficient healthcare facilities. A focused elimination approach that includes integrated vector control, enhanced diagnostic access, healthcare professional training, and community engagement is critical. Surveillance and research are critical for determining malaria prevalence and resistance patterns. Effective malaria treatment in refugee camps necessitates broad strategies to protect vulnerable children and lower disease burdens.

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by clonal proliferation of stem cells, with mutations in JAK2, CALR, or MPL genes. MF presents in primary and secondary forms, with common symptoms including splenomegaly, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Diagnostic criteria involve bone marrow examination and mutation studies. Current treatments are limited, with allogeneic stem cell transplant as the only curative option. Recent FDA approval of Momelotinib (MMB) offers new promise for MF patients with anemia. MMB, a JAK1/2 and ACVR1 inhibitor, effectively reduces spleen size, improves hemoglobin levels, and decreases transfusion dependency. The MOMENTUM trial compared MMB to danazol in JAK inhibitor-treated MF patients with anemia, showing MMB’s superior symptom relief and transfusion independence rates. Additionally, the SIMPLIFY-1 and SIMPLIFY-2 trials evaluated MMB in JAK inhibitor-naïve and experienced patients, respectively, confirming MMB’s non-inferiority to ruxolitinib in spleen volume reduction and highlighting its benefits in transfusion requirements. MMB’s unique dual inhibition mechanism addresses anemia by suppressing hepcidin production, thus enhancing erythropoiesis. These trials collectively suggest MMB as an effective treatment for MF, improving quality of life and offering a survival advantage for patients with anemia. Despite challenges, such as trial design limitations and adverse events, MMB represents a significant advancement in MF management, providing a new therapeutic option for a previously underserved patient population.