{"id":"d0eefbe3-5d49-4c30-960b-a71af2eaabd1","slug":"impact-of-the-novel-coronavirus-disease-covid-19-outbreak-on-the-neurosurgery-department-in-chad","title":"Impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on the neurosurgery department in Chad","authors":["Olivier Li-Iyané Ouambi","Yannick Canton Kessely","Félicien Toudjingar","Oryon Abbia Beidjam","Aboubakar Taoussi Assidick","Ba Momar Code"],"abstract":"Background: The COVID-19 outbreak, which began in December 2019, has impacted health systems globally, including fragile systems in Africa. In Chad, the first case was reported on April 1, 2020, leading to a series of government interventions aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. The neurosurgery department at the Renaissance University Hospital in N’djamena is the only one in the country, facing challenges due to the pandemic. Summary: During the first half of 2020, consultations in the neurosurgery department decreased by 27.42%, with a total of 462 neurosurgical consultations reported. The number of surgeries performed increased to 94, influenced by concurrent military conflicts. The department's capacity was strained as it adapted to treat COVID-19 patients while maintaining care for neurosurgical cases. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the neurosurgery department in Chad, leading to a reduction in consultations and a shift in patient management strategies. Despite these challenges, the department continues to operate under strict protective measures, although many patients are delaying treatment due to fears of COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19, neurosurgery, Chad, healthcare system, consultations, surgery, pandemic, public health","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/general-neurosurgery.png","publishDate":"2021-04-14T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_746_2020","categories":["General Neurosurgery","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/10714/SNI-12-158.pdf"}