The first neurosurgery mission to Africa was in Kenya in 2008. The first West African neurosurgery mission is currently underway by a collaborative partnership between Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation (KBNF), Doctors for United Medical Missions (DrUMM) and Pro Health International for November 2009. Select American and Canadian-trained professionals will provide expert clinical care for pre-selected patients in need of neurosurgical care from at least three West African countries.

This mission will also provide:

• an opportunity for local physicians and other health care workers to

• enhance their skills

• support for the advancement of the Korle-Bu Neuroscience Centre of Excellence as the leading treatment, training and research centre for West Africa

• support for the mission of the Korle-Bu Foundation.

The Korle-Bu Neuroscience Foundation West Africa Medical Mission team which includes members of Pro-Health International and DrUMM will travel first to Benin City, Nigeria for a week, followed by a week in Accra, Ghana.

The mission will consist of three components:

1. The clinical health care delivery component will perform neurosurgical operations that are not normally performed due to the scarcity of trained neurosurgeons and neurologists.
2. The clinical educational component will provide training opportunities for anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, nurses and residents.
3. The research component will examine clinical neuroscience research that is conducted in both countries. A needs assessment will be performed regarding the acquisition of clinical data needed to support the Neuroscience centre.

SPECIFIC GOALS

1. Quality patient care: To provide expert care to patients in need of neurosurgical care from at least three West African countries regardless of their economic status. Neurosurgical care isdefined as care from the entire mission team including surgeons,anesthesiologists, nurses, neurologists, technologists, pharmacistsand additional support team members.
2. Education: To provide medical education and clinical training that supports efficient healthcare delivery in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and other neighboring ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) countries.
3. Research: To examine the acquisition of clinical research dataand to perform a needs assessment regarding the implementationof research that will support the development of the Korle-BuNeuroscience Centre of Excellence.
4. Creating Awareness and Fundraising: To create a professional quality documentary to be utilized for raising global awareness and to be used as a fundraising instrument by the Korle-Bu NeuroscienceFoundation and its partners.