Neurological Surgery in Guinea, West Africa

Abstract

The West African country of Guinea is home to a population of roughly 11.5 million (United Nations Statistics
Division) people. Guinea’s capital and largest city, Conakry, has a population close to 1.8 million (United
Nations Statistics Division). Donka National Hospital
(see Figure 1), the largest hospital in Guinea, located in
its capital, Conakry, is one of two hospitals that has a
neurological surgery department.
Donka National Hospital serves as the primary teaching
hospital for medical students, interns, and subspecialties
trainees in Guinea. A discussion of the history, current
state, and gaps in neurosurgical care is presented. Information was gathered during an in-person visit to and
subsequent communications with personnel Conakry,
Guinea, in September and October of 2014, during the
largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease to date.