Passion Meets Purpose: A Wits Registrar’s vision for transforming neurosurgery in Africa
- FHS Communications
Dr Mohammed Ouwais Abdul Sattar, a Neurosurgical Registrar at Wits University based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, has been awarded a prestigious World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Scholarship, administered by the Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS).
This scholarship will enable him to attend the WFNS Congress in Dubai this December, where his abstract ranked among the Top 50 submissions from Africa, a testament to his academic excellence and Wits Neurosurgery’s growing global influence.
He says that representing South Africa and Africa at the WFNS Congress is both a privilege and a responsibility. “I hope to share insights from our work and help showcase the quality and potential that exists within African neurosurgery,” adds Satter.
A Milestone Achievement
The scholarship offers unparalleled opportunities, including international exposure and a platform to network with leading neurosurgical professionals. Founded in 2010, CAANS represents neurosurgeons across more than 50 African nations, advancing neurosurgical training, research, and patient care. Through initiatives like this scholarship program, young talent is nurtured, and Africa’s contribution to global neurosurgery is strengthened.
Although reaching this milestone required commitment, Sattar credits “collective mentorship, guidance, and the academic environment that I’ve been privileged to be part of.”
Passion for Neurosurgery
Sattar’s clinical and academic interests lie in skull base surgery, neuroendoscopy, and vascular neurosurgery. His journey began unexpectedly during his community service year at Helen Joseph Hospital. Within two weeks, he was deeply drawn to the discipline.
He recalls a case that had a profound, immediate impact on him, making him realise the transformative power of neurosurgical intervention in a patient’s life: “A young patient who arrived with a severe extradural haematoma and a very low GCS [Glasgow Coma Scale]. After evacuation, he was extubated shortly thereafter and walked out of the ward with his mother within a week. Seeing that kind of recovery ignited something in me—it showed me how decisive, life-saving, and meaningful our work can be.”
Although he finds his work rewarding, like any other job, it has its downs. “For me, the most challenging aspect has been navigating the emotional weight of cases where, despite our best efforts, the extent of injury or disease limits what we can offer…accepting that not every patient can be saved is difficult”, he shared.
Challenges and Mentorship
While rewarding, the work comes with challenges. “The most difficult aspect has been navigating the emotional weight of cases where, despite our best efforts, the extent of injury or disease limits what we can offer… accepting that not every patient can be saved is hard,” he shares.
Sattar acknowledges the role mentors have played in shaping his career. Dr Jason Labuschagne, Head of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, guided him in formulating his research abstract. “He was instrumental throughout the process—supportive, hands-on, and unwavering in his commitment to scientific rigour,” he explains.
Equally influential were Professors Christos Profyris, John Ouma, and Dr Rambelani Khohomela. He says Profyris recognised his interest early and encouraged him, which shaped his career. “His mastery of minimally invasive and vascular techniques, his ability to maintain precision under pressure, and the way he balanced technical excellence with humanity made a lasting impression on me,” adds Satter, admiring Proyris’ precision in the operating room.
Breaking New Ground
Notably, Satter was part of the pioneering team that performed Malawi’s first-ever endoscopic transsphenoidal brain surgery in 2023 —a milestone in the region’s neurosurgical history. This was an eye-opening experience that gave him a new perspective. Talking about the skill set he encountered in the country, even within a resource-constrained context, he shared that “seeing their determination to provide care despite these challenges was deeply inspiring.”
It reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening neurosurgical services beyond borders. “Africa’s neurosurgical capacity will only grow if countries collaborate, share expertise, support one another with training, and contribute to building sustainable systems,” shares Satter.
Vision for Africa
He points out that Africa’s neurosurgical landscape is unique because of its clinical diversity and volume, creating a great combination for innovation to flourish in very practical, impactful ways. Training in Johannesburg, South Africa’s busiest city, has moulded him through its high patient load and complexity. “The sheer exposure, responsibility, and pace are demanding, but they are also what make Wits Neurosurgery one of the most rigorous and transformative training programs in South Africa,” says Satter.
Looking ahead, Sattar sees promise in three areas:
- Minimally invasive techniques to reduce hospital stays and ease pressure on healthcare systems.
- Endovascular procedures to improve outcomes for critical vascular conditions.
- Scalable, low-cost innovations such as reusable equipment and simplified training models.
“Ultimately, the greatest promise lies in training—equipping the next generation,” he concludes.