Goree Island (Ile de Goree) is a small island just off the coast of Dakar,
the capital of Senegal.  It's an important destination for those who come
to pay their respects and reflect upon the history of the slavery trade.

Senegal, West Africa

April, 2010

                       Senegal is a country of more than 12 million people located on the west coast of Africa. A former French colony, it achieved independence in 1960. The major tribe is Wolof (>40%), and the primary language French, with more than 90% of Muslim faith. The majority of the population is rural, with more than 2 million people living in the capital city Dakar. Agriculture and mining are the major industries.

            The major challenges include poverty, illiteracy, and health care. Health care issues include access, availability, decreased health personnel, and the double burden of disease. This includes the burden of continued communicable diseases (TB, malaria, Hepatitis B, HIV), compounded by the emerging chronic diseases that include hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and atherosclerosis. Rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and blunt cardiothoracic trauma  from automobile accidents remain significant concerns as well. A  Cardiothoracic surgery project was initiated in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa March 31- April 13^th, 2010 at  Centre Hospitalier National de Fann Chirugie Thoracique Cardio-Vasculaire. The project was developed and hosted by Professor Mouhamadou Ndiaye, the chief of the center. The goals were to review and assess the growth and progress of CT surgery in Senegal, as well as participate in the daily evaluation, care, and surgery of CT surgery patients. Findings, observations, and recommendations were made. Future plans and initiatives were subsequently made, especially with regard to biomedical support, and establishing new corporate contacts for disposables.