Neurosurgery in Tanzania: a discussion of culture, socioeconomics, and humanitarians.

Objective: To elucidate the progress of neurosurgical practices in Tanzania, taking into account humanitarian, socioeconomic, and geographic influences.

Method: Articles, records, and historical texts were consulted to establish a timeline and history of neurosurgery in Tanzania.

Results: Reulen, a German neurosurgeon, was integral to the development of sustainable neurosurgical services in Tanzania.

Initial audit of a basic and emergency neurosurgical training program in rural Tanzania.

Objective: As of 2006, only three formally trained neurosurgeons are licensed in Tanzania. Recently, efforts have increased toward training local Tanzanian physicians and assistant medical officers (AMOs) to meet the basic neurosurgical needs of nonurban areas. Between January and July 2006, an initial attempt at such an apprenticeship was undertaken with a locally trained AMO already performing general surgery at Haydom Lutheran Hospital, Tanzania.