S186. History of clinicalneurophysiology in Morocco: From an integrated unit in neurology to an independent structure of neurophysiological explorations

• Published in: Clinical neurophysiology Vol. 129; pp. e211 - e212
• Main Authors: Chahidi, Abderrahmane, Souirti, Zouhayr, Chraa, Mohamed, Ouazzani, Reda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-05-2018
• ISSN: 1388-2457; 1872-8952
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.04.546

Neurophysiology is a young discipline in Morocco. The first department of Neurophysiology was created in 2003 in Rabat. It is the fruit of the collaboration of the various factors of neurosciences as well clinical as fundamental. The objective of this study is to describe the evolution of clinical neurophysiology and its future prospects within the International Federation of Neurophysiology.
The first department of neurology in Morocco was created in 1978 by two doctors trained in hospitals in France. This unit dedicated to neurological diseases was established at the University Hospital of Rabat, the first teaching university hospital in Morocco. Currently, there are 160 qualified neurologists in Morocco. Indeed, for clinical neurophysiology as an independent department of neurology, started in 2003 in Rabat. This department was followed by the creation of another service within the Rabat University Military Teaching Hospital. Some hospitals integrate neurophysiological explorations in a department of general clinical explorations as in Fez, while others keep them attached to neurology services “Marrakech, Oujda, Casablanca …”.
The Clinical Neurophysiology Service in Rabat has two EEG video rooms, two EEG rooms, two EMG rooms and one EP room. The military structure also has a study unit for sleep disorders. Many programs, besides routine activities, have taken place. Thanks to the contacts maintained with the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology at the International Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology in Berlin in 2014, an Association named “MOROCCAN SOCIETY OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY” non-profit organization in accordance with the provisions of the Moroccan law was created with a seat based in the city of Marrakech where the first Moroccan congress of neurophysiology was held in 2016 and the second jointly with the First African Congress and MENA of clinical neurophysiology in Rabat in 2017, without taking into account the practical workshops of ENMG and in EEG.
The future of the SMNP crystallizes from its main objectives: Participate in the promotion of neurophysiology, Establish links of mutual aid, friendship and exchange of experience between its members and finally contribute to the improvement the exercise of neurophysiological techniques whether in the experimental or clinical field in Morocco. Achieving these goals will continually require the support of the International Federation of Neurophysiology.