Proposal to improve neurology education and practice in Africa ‘Treat and Teach initiative’
My name is Tamer Emara, an assistant professor of neurology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Among a group of colleagues, we are working on an initiative that might help reduce the gap in the number of trained neurologists as well as neurology education programs in Africa. We are trying to complement the current efforts to improve neurology education in Africa with an initiative that has a mix of online education and medical services that may include a stroke unit, memory clinic, neurorehabilitation units, or a neurology department. This would hopefully, lead to national neuroscience services run by local HR. Through a series of online lectures provided by Egyptian and international academicians, we will be offering neurology education to medical providers in these countries. The online material is coupled with clinical bedside training. There will also be case conferences and clinical support for growing neurology practice in the target countries on a regular basis. Master degrees from Ain Shams University, Cairo, will be offered if no local postgrad programs is available. So far, we have contacted experts in the field of neurology and telemedicine and have received support and verbal commitment towards the project. We have also been trying to network with the Pan-Arab and Pan-African Neurological Societies. Also, the Arab League of Nations, through its Arab-African cooperation office) is supporting this initiative. Dr Nabil Elarabi has agreed to host a conference with a running title of “The future of neurology education and practice in the developing world. Telemedicine and beyond” in January 2016, Arab League of nations, Tahrir square, Cairo, Egypt. This will help us bring together medical and non-medical stakeholders to leverage support and funds for the project. If you are interested to share in the educational program as a mentor, student, or a representative of an academic institute. Please feel free to get in touch with us. We do appreciate your suggestions to improve this! Thank you
Tamer Emara MD MRCP
Associate Professor of neurology
Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
