WFN Teaching Center and the University of Cape Town Four-Year Career Neurology Resident Training Program

The World Federation of Neurology (WFN), The Neurological Association of South Africa (NASA) and the Division of Neurology of the University of Cape Town (UCT), are delighted to announce a 4-year training program for a suitably qualified African medical doctor to join the 4-year career specialist neurology resident training program at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

The Training Program:

The successful candidate will be required to complete 4 years of clinical resident training in the Division of Neurology at Groote Schuur Hospital. All career neurology residents in our Division are required to sit the Part I and Part II Fellowship Examinations of the College of Neurologists of South Africa (CNSA) which constitute the South African specialist qualification in neurology. This qualification is widely recognized and respected throughout Africa, the Commonwealth, and internationally. Career registrars are also expected to enrol for, and complete, a Master of Medicine (MMed) degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT) during their residency.

The Division of Neurology:

Our Division prides itself on the quality of its clinical teaching and is committed to both clinical excellence and meaningful neuroscience research in the African context. We have the highest publication output of any neurology training centre in South Africa. Particular areas of research interest include stroke, myasthenia gravis, epilepsy, motor neurone disease and other neuromuscular disorders, HIV-related polyneuropathies, HIV-related dementia, tuberculous and other CNS infections, as well as scholarly research involving the effectiveness of Web-based and blended neurology education in resource constrained settings. Moreover, we have a well-equipped and staffed neurophysiology laboratory where our residents receive sound, comprehensive training in electroencephalography, nerve conduction studies and electromyography.

The Purpose:

The purpose of this residency program is to train African specialist neurologists in the current principles and practice of clinical neurology, diagnostic neurophysiology and neuroimaging (CT, MRI & PET), appropriate for the African context.

Timeframe

It is anticipated that successful applicant will start the 4-year career neurology residency program in April 2025 and, if successful, he/she is expected to complete training and qualify as a specialist neurologist on February 28th 2029.

A mutual 6-month probationary period applies and subsequent reappointment will be made on an annual basis, subject to satisfactory progress.

Details about support

The visiting resident will receive a non-taxable stipend totalling USD $18,555.00 per annum, which will be paid in quarterly instalments over the four-year residency period. It is expected that this sum should be sufficient to cover the following expenses:

• one economy flight from the resident's country of residence to Cape Town and the return journey per annum.
• The costs of modest single accommodation near the Training Hospital.
• A modest monthly allowance for living expenses (food and beverage).
• The costs of health insurance and medical malpractice insurance (to be arranged by the applicant).
• Annual registration fee for MMed degree with the University of Cape Town
  
  

The stipend will be paid to the Neurological Association of South Africa, which will then be responsible for making quarterly payments to the successful applicant.

Attention: Please note that support is provided for the visiting trainee only, and does not include family or dependents. The WFN is not responsible for financial issues other than those related to the project.

Criteria for applications:

• The applicant must be a resident of a low or lower-middle income country from the African continent.
• Preference will be given to young, appropriately qualified, non-South African medical doctors from low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa
• The applicant must be born after 31.12.1981
• The applicant must be fluent in English
• The following will strengthen an applicant's chances of success:
  • An excellent academic record
  • Experience in clinical neurology and/or neuroscience research
  • Successful completion of the Part I Fellowship Examination of the College of Neurologists of South Africa.

Evaluation Committee

World Federation of Neurology

• Prof Steven Lewis, WFN Chair of the Education Committee
• Prof Riadh Gouider, WFN Education Committee co-chair

Cape Town Training Centre

• Dr Lawrence Tucker (Director: Neurology Residency Program, University of Cape Town)
• Dr MV Gule (Co-director, Groote Schuur Hospital Epilepsy Service)
• Dr Kath Bateman (Head: Groote Schuur Hospital Stroke Unit)
• Prof. Suzaan Marais (Head Groote Schuur Hospital Neuroinfection Service)

African Academy of Neurology

• Dr Augustina Charway-Felli, AFAN President
• Dr Imen Kassem, AFAN Secretary General

Deadline for application

Deadline for applications: Sunday 30th June 2024

For any questions regarding your application, please contact the administrative office of the WFN Education Committee:

Mrs Jade Levy
Executive Assistant
Education Project Coordinator
World Federation of Neurology
London
United Kingdom

E-mail: jade@wfneurology.org
Tel.: +44 (0)20 3542 1657