Journal article
Comprehensive neurointervention training and service capacity in the Middle East & North Africa (NITA-MENA) study
Neurological research (New York), PMID 7905298
01/13/2026
DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2026.2613987
PMID: 41529080
Abstract
Objective
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces a critical neurointervention workforce shortage, with an estimated 115,000-130000 preventable deaths annually from treatable neurovascular conditions. We quantified training capacity, service availability, and implementation barriers across 19 countries encompassing 688.2 million inhabitants.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 168 eligible hospitals with 24-hour emergency services, neuroimaging capability, and ≥100 annual neurovascular admissions between May-August 2024. Primary outcomes were Neurointervention Training Access (annual fellowship positions/population-based demand using 2.5 operators per million standard) and Neurointervention Operator Availability (current operators/regional requirements). Multivariable regression identified training capacity predictors.
Results
Among 131 responding institutions (78%response rate), current capacity reached only 19.1% of required neurointerventionists for the region. Training capacity met 4.4%of projected needs, varying from 12.1%in high-income to 0%in low-income countries (p < 0.001). While 80.9% of hospitals performed neurointervention procedures, only 33.6% qualified as comprehensive centers. Among comprehensive centers, 72.7% hosted fellowship programs and 68.2%maintained 24/7 coverage. Significant predictors of higher training capacity included per-capita GDP (β = 0.012, p < 0.001), formal certification pathways (β = 0.285, p = 0.002), and emergency medical services protocols (β = 0.252, p = 0.01). Primary barriers were funding limitations (82.4%), equipment shortages (70.2%), and faculty scarcity (65.6%). Current training infrastructure produced 96 annual graduates against a projected regional deficit of 1434specialists.
Discussion
The MENA neurointervention capacity meets less than 20% of population needs, with pronounced socioeconomic disparities resulting in substantial preventable mortality and disability. Strategic expansion to 28 regional training hubs producing 171 annual fellows may achieve workforce adequacy within 8.4 years, requiring coordinated international investment and policy reform.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Comprehensive neurointervention training and service capacity in the Middle East & North Africa (NITA-MENA) study
- Creators
- Ossama Yassin Mansour - Alexandria UniversitySeon Kyu Lee - Albert Einstein College of MedicineVioliza Inoa - Semmes Murphey FoundationFarid Aladham - Children's Specialized HospitalIbrahim Alnaami - King Khalid UniversityHosam Maher Al-Jehani - Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal HospitalAbdulrahman Alshamy - Ain Shams UniversityFaisal Alghamdi - King Abdullah Medical CityAtilla Ozcan Ozdemir - Eskişehir Osmangazi UniversityTamer Hassan - Alexandria UniversityHany Zaki Eldeen - Ain Shams UniversityHany Hamadani - Neurology Department, Ibn Al Nafees Hospital, Manama, BahrainM Shazam Hussain - Cleveland ClinicMahmoud Galal - Al-Azhar UniversityEhsan Sharifipour - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesErdem Gurkas - Dr Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Eğitim ve Araştırma HastanesiMohamed Alaa Habib - Cairo UniversityNadia Hammami - National Institute of PathologyMohamed Hamdy - Ain Shams UniversityFarouk Hassan - Ain Shams UniversitySyed I Hussain - The Neurological InstituteYahia Imam - Weill Cornell MedicineSeby John - The Neurological InstituteAdnan Qureshi - University of MissouriAmina El Khamlichi - Centre Hospitalier Ibn SinaAmr Mahmoud - Ain Shams UniversityAhmed Ossama - Alexandria UniversityMostafa Mahmoud - Weill Cornell MedicineEhab S Mohamed - Tanta UniversityNada Nasr - Alexandria UniversityUmair Rashid - Lawrence General HospitalSalma Said - Alexandria UniversityAbdulmonem Saied - Tripoli Central HospitalMaher Saqqur - University of TorontoKhalid Sobh - Al-Azhar UniversityRyna Then - Albert Einstein College of MedicineGillian L Gordon Perue - University of MiamiMohammed Wasay - Neurology Department, Aga Khan University, Karatchi, PakistanMohammed Ghorbani - Iran University of Medical SciencesEdgar A Samaniego - University of IowaSantiago Ortega-Gutierrez - University of IowaJeyaraj Pandian - Christian Medical CollegeAdnan Siddiqui - University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkAshfaq Shuaib - University of Alberta
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Neurological research (New York), PMID 7905298
- DOI
- 10.1080/01616412.2026.2613987
- PMID
- 41529080
- NLM abbreviation
- Neurol Res
- ISSN
- 0161-6412
- eISSN
- 1743-1328
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Grant note
- King Khalid University: RGP2/594/46 Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine Research Development Fund: AU-FOM-RDF-2024-15
This study was supported by grants from the Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine Research Development Fund [AU-FOM-RDF-2024-15]; the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University [RGP2/594/46]. The funding sources had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or manuscript preparation.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 01/13/2026
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Radiology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9985121589202771
Metrics
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