THE number of outpatients undergoing brain surgery at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Mloganzila branch has doubled over seven years, rising from 2,000 to 4,000 annually, hospital officials assert.

Dr Raymond Makundi, consultant in spinal and neurosurgery and acting head of neurosurgery at the Coast Region facility said in a briefing yesterday that in the same period, the number of inpatients placed under neurosurgical procedures has increased fourfold—from 100 to 400 per year—on account of increased demand and expanded capacity.

The significant growth reflects not only the increasing burden of neurological conditions in various parts of the country, but also major strides made in improving health infrastructure and specialist care, he said.

 “Over the past seven years, we've witnessed remarkable improvements—both in the volume of patients we’re able to treat and in the complexity of cases we can now manage,” he said, highlighting substantial investment in state-of-the-art medical equipment, modern surgical theatres and specialists as key enablers of the hospital’s transformation.

The neurosurgery department, established just seven years ago, has evolved into a centre of excellence serving patients from across the country, he explained, noting that its earlier focus was on children with conditions such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

“But today we’re managing more diverse and advanced cases including brain tumours, traumatic brain injuries and infections involving the central nervous system,” he specified.

He also emphasised the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in achieving these outcomes, citing collaboration among neurosurgeons, radiologists, anaesthesiologists and nurses.

“This is a state-of-the-art hospital, and the presence of highly specialised professionals across disciplines has been crucial to our success,” he declared, recalling the setting up of the major hospital in 2017 as an MNH extension, doubling on specialised tertiary care and medical research.

The hospital has since become a critical referral centre for complex cases requiring advanced diagnostics and surgical intervention, he said, affirming that the rise in neurosurgical cases also reflects broader health trends in the country.

Improved access to healthcare and rising awareness of neurological disorders are bringing more patients into the system, with the growing demand for neurosurgery highlighting the need for wider investment in training, infrastructure and decentralised services to meet future demand, he added.