EEG coverage in Africa: How can the gap be covered?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Medical Diagnostics
• Public Health

Background:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) is crucial for diagnosing neurological disorders like epilepsy.
• EEG services in Africa face significant access barriers due to limited infrastructure and workforce.
• Existing neurodiagnostic disparities hinder effective patient care across the continent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current status of EEG services across Africa, including availability and accessibility.
• To identify key barriers hindering the widespread use of EEG diagnostics.
• To propose strategic recommendations for enhancing EEG service coverage and utilization.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to practitioners in 54 African countries.
• Data collection occurred from June 1 to December 31, 2025.
• Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze EEG access, infrastructure, training, and collaborations.

Main Results:

• 108 respondents from 42 countries reported severe equipment shortages ( <0.4/million in sub-Saharan Africa).
• EEG devices are concentrated in capital cities (>55%), with limited use of tele-EEG (8.6%) and cross-border collaborations (<22%).
• Training gaps and workforce shortages are significant constraints, with advanced EEG modalities being rare.

Conclusions:

• An urgent, continent-wide strategy is required to address EEG diagnostic and training inequities.
• Decentralization via mobile and tele-EEG, standardized training, and international collaboration are key priorities.
• Strategic investment is vital for achieving equitable neurodiagnostic services in Africa.