Moroccan neurosurgeon Dr. Najia El Abbadi assumed her new role as President of the World Federation of Neurosurgery on Thursday, becoming not only the first African and Arab woman to assume this prestigious position, but the first woman anywhere in the world to lead the organization. Her peers elected her President during the 18th World Congress of Neurosurgery that took place in Cape Town, South Africa on December 4-8, 2023.
Outgoing president of the federation Nelson Oyeshiku handed the presidential medal to El Abbadi during the handover ceremony.
New president El Abbadi had previously been elected president of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies in 2021. She told Moroccan news agency MAP that she is committed to improving neurosurgical practice worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, during her tenure.
“Our strategy is based on transparent and fraternal international collaboration developed by a multinational team representing the United States, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Ukraine, under the Moroccan presidency,” she said.
Morocco’s Ambassador to Washington, Youssef Amrani, welcomed this election as a recognition for Morocco, Africa, and the Arab world, and stated that El Abbadi’s accession to the presidency signifies the leadership of Moroccan, African, and Arab women in medicine, particularly in the post-Covid context.
The World Federation of Neurosurgeons represents over 137 scientific associations and 40,000 neurosurgeons from various countries worldwide.