Neurological Surgery in Guinea, West Africa

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.