Paediatric neurology at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles.

Accompanying the recent rapid progress in paediatric neurosciences, the gap between the developed and resource poor countries widened significantly regarding the possibilities for diagnosis and intervention [1]. The majority of children with disabilities live in resource-poor countries with higher burden of both medical and social sequel, accompanied by scarce qualified personnel and set up services. There is an alarmingly significant gap both in the identification of neurodevelopmental disorders with serious implications, like autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and the provision of the needed health and social services for these disorders [2,3]. Based on a survey of paediatric neurology services in 15 African countries, the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) identified training and education at all levels to be the key areas of need [4]. Through the participation of delegates from 30 African countries, a workshop sponsored by ICNA was held in Accra, Ghana in 2014 to analyze the state of ASD diagnosis and management [5]. Following a presentation by Prof. Haydar Elhadi Babikir, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira, both Prof. Harry Chugani (President of ICNA, 2010-2014) and Prof. Jo Wilmshurst (Secretary of ICNA, 20102014) expressed the willingness of ICNA to hold an educational meeting in Khartoum. As requested by Prof. Haydar E. Babikir, one of us (M.A.M.S) discussed this further with Prof. Chugani and Prof. Wilmshurst during the 13th International Child Neurology Congress in Brazil (May 2014). This laid the foundation for the educational meeting to be a reality, followed by commendable hard work by Prof. Haydar E. Babiker and the Organizing Committees including the paediatric neurologists in Sudan, to prepare the logistics for this meeting. The current issue of the Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics (SJP) includes a special supplement to reflect on and document these important events for paediatricians and childhood services in Sudan [6]. This paediatric neurology event, which targeted specialists, general paediatricians, neurologists, physicians, nurses and para-medical staff, took place during the period January 27-31, 2015 in Khartoum at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles [7]. It started with the Paediatric Epilepsy Training Course Level 1 (PET1), organized by the British Paediatric Association (BPNA) and sponsored by Sadaqat