Current Status and Future Projections of the Congolese Neurosurgical Workforce

Neurosurgery workforce data, training paths, and estimates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are sparse. The existing Congolese neurosurgical workforce and number of trainees are assessed, and a 2030 projection is provided to inform national workforce planning and neurosurgical system strengthening plans.

An electronic questionnaire issued through professional neurosurgery networks was used for a countrywide descriptive cross-sectional survey from March 8 to April 12, 2026. A structured, verified WhatsApp questionnaire was emailed to Congolese neurosurgeons and residents using dual-source data collecting. Since the poll was voluntary, practicing neurosurgeons responded 100%, whereas known trainees responded 87% (47 out of 54). Congolese neurosurgeons and neurosurgical trainees' sociodemographic data, place of practice or training, and training level were examined using SPSS 27.0.1.0.

With a 7:1 male-to-female ratio, the country has 38 board-certified neurosurgeons, 27 of whom practice locally and 11 overseas, and 47 neurosurgery trainees worldwide Most of Congo's future neurosurgical staff is trained in Morocco (28%), Côte d'Ivoire (19%), and Senegal (15 %). It is projected to increase DRC's neurosurgical workforce to 85 by 2030, however brain drain, retirement, and death may affect this.

The Congolese neurosurgical workforce is critically understaffed, yet the residency pipeline is growing. Workforce shortages, spatial inequality, and foreign training remain. Sustainable and equitable neurosurgery treatment in the DRC requires strengthening domestic training capacity, enhancing personnel retention, decentralising neurosurgical services, and investing in neurosurgical infrastructure.