Neurosurgery in Casablanca

Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders/diseases or injury that affects any portion of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, and peripheral nerves. This specialty includes both adult and pediatric patients. A physician who specializes in neurosurgery is called a neurosurgeon. Although they are mostly known as ‘brain surgeons,’ they are also medically trained to help patients who suffer from neck and back pain, as well as a wide range of other illnesses. Some of the most common conditions that neurosurgeons can treat include:

• Meningitis
• Traumatic head injury
• Cervical spine disorders
• Sciatica
• Herniated disc
• Stroke
• Chronic pain
• Carotid artery disease
• Pituitary tumors
• Brain tumors
• Hydrocephalus
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Spine tumors
• Vertebral fractures
• Sciatica
• Lumbar spinal stenosis.

A neurosurgeon can provide diagnostic procedures, as well as both surgical and non-surgical treatment. These include, but are not limited to:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Lumbar Puncture
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Ultrasonography (USG)
• Biopsy
• Aneurysm repair
• Tumor removal
• Trauma repair
• Clot removal
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
• Brain stereotactic radiosurgery
• Epilepsy surgery
• Fetal surgery
• Endovascular treatment
• Endoscopic procedures
• Hyperhidrosis surgery, such as endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy
• Seizure surgery
• Spinal fusion
• Trigeminal neuralgia surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Casablanca?

Your length of stay depends on the type of procedure you underwent. For diagnostic tests, you may need to stay in Casablanca for 3 to 7 days to wait until the results are ready and to discuss the results with your neurosurgeon. In some cases, you may be allowed to leave for home immediately. For medical treatments, you usually need to stay in the hospital for two to five days, and stay in Casablanca for 7 to 14 more days, sometimes even longer. During your stay, you will have to attend regular checkups where your neurosurgeon monitors your condition. If everything is fine, you will be allowed to travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Since there is a wide range of procedures, recovery times vary. In general, it can take around 4 to 12 weeks to recover from surgery. During this period avoid strenuous activities and take time off of work. Your doctor will gradually allow you to increase your activity levels, based on their examination at the follow-up visits. 

What Aftercare is Required?

After neurosurgery treatments, you will have to change your lifestyle. A healthy diet, such as keeping your salt levels down and avoiding sugary food, is crucial to prevent complications. It is also important that you exercise regularly and get enough sleep. For some types of surgery, you will need rehabilitation therapy, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, language therapy. 

What's the Success Rate?

Given the advances in technology, understanding of the nervous system, and surgical understanding, the success rate of neurosurgery continues to improve and is now higher than before. For example, the success rate of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is around 95%, while the likelihood of being seizure-free five years after epilepsy surgery is around 95%. Still, every procedure come with potential risks and side effects, such as infection, excessive swelling of the brain, spinal fluid leakage, and seizures.

Are there Alternatives?

If you have any conditions related to your nervous system, you can go to a neurologist as the alternative. However, since neurologists do not perform surgery, they will refer you to a neurosurgeon should surgery be required as part of your treatment.

Neurosurgery in and around Casablanca

About Casablanca

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and is located in the central-western part of the country. Many local and international companies set up their headquarters in this city, making it the primary industrial zone of the country. Casablanca might be the least popular tourist destination in the country, but take a closer look, it does have a lot of hidden gems. Tourists will find many astonishing things to see here. From beaches, markets, culture, to Art Deco architecture, this city is definitely worth a visit.

In line with Morocco’s emerging medical tourism, Casablanca welcomes an increasing number of medical tourists each year. The city is considered to be the most developed market for medical tourists, which in turn as made it one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in Africa. The medical system is divided into two sectors, public and private. The city is known for its modern medical facilities equipped with high-tech equipment. People from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States choose the city for cosmetic surgery and dental procedures, while people from other African countries with inferior medical centers come to have better healthcare. For medical tourists from Western countries, medical treatment in Casablanca is a lot more affordable. 

Popular Areas in Casablanca 

Casablanca is the main gateway to Morocco and despite only having a few tourist attractions; visitors will find some gems after a little exploration.

• Hassan II Mosque was completed in 1993 and built on a platform overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Covering around two hectares in size and can accommodate more than 100,000 worshippers, it is the second-largest mosque in the world. The dramatic location combined with the beautiful architecture offers a unique experience of praying. 
• The Medina or the old city district is a perfect place to wander around. The maze-like alleyways hide many things waiting to be discovered. Tourists can experience the local’s daily life, have some tasty food in one of the cafes, find traditional treasures in one of its shops, or just stroll around and admire its beauty. 
• Cathedral du Sacre Coeur may have been left to waste away in the past decades, but tourists can still see its beautiful structure and architecture. The guardian will sometime let tourists inside to get a sense of the building’s interior. The architecture is a perfect mix of European and Moroccan style. 
• Central Market is the place for tourists who want to shop and it is a bustling market where locals buy and sell groceries, but tourists usually come for Morocco’s famous slippers or solely for an opportunity to get amazing photos. Do a little haggling and take home some beautiful local souvenirs.
• Corniche or beachfront district is located in the same region as the Hassan II Mosque. The shoreline is filled with luxury restaurants, hotels, and beach clubs. There is also a public beach packed with surfers and swimmers. During sunny days, especially on weekends, people come to picnic on the beaches, have a refreshing dip in the sea, or splash around in swimming pools. 

Weather and Climate in Casablanca

The weather in this charming city can be quiet hot as it has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Thanks to the cool Canary current off the Atlantic coast, there are always cool breezes even during the hottest days. The summer generally starts in June and ends in August. June is the driest month in Casablanca and August is the hottest month with an average temperature of around 26 °C. The temperature will decrease in October and the average rainfall will increase in December. Winter starts in December and visitors can expect January to be the coldest month with the temperature ranging from 7 °C to 17 °C. February experiences a lot of rain, making it the wettest month of the year.

Getting Around in Casablanca

Casablanca is home to the country’s primary international airport: Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport. It is the busiest airport in Morocco, located in Nouaceur Province and the airport operates both domestic and international flights which connect the city to many major cities in the Middle East, America, and Europe. Several budget airlines such as Air Arabia Maroc, Transavia Airlines, and Pegasus Airlines operate flights to and from this airport.

There are plenty of options to get around Casablanca and tourists can try the tram to get a good look at the city. The tram operates from 06.00 AM to 10.30 PM. The line connects some of the main neighborhoods and consists of 48 stops. The most inexpensive way to get around the city is by bus and it costs around 5 MAD. It is best to begin your journey at the designated stops along each bus route instead of stopping a bus in transit.

Taxis are widely available and there are two kinds of taxis: The Red taxi (Petit Taxi) or the White Taxi. The red taxi is a shared taxi, typically by four passengers. The White taxis act like buses with a set route and a fixed price, but the ride is much faster than the bus and you should always pay the driver at the start of your trip. 

Tourist Visas in Casablanca

Citizens of 66 countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the European Union, and Japan can enter and stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Mali, Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo do not need a visa to enter but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization. It is best to always check the current regulations to the Moroccan Embassy or Consulate in your country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the official currency. The exchange rate from 1 USD is 9.70 MAD.
2. Money & Payments: The easiest way to access money is by the ATMs which can be found easily around the city. Credit cards are mostly accepted in high-end restaurants and hotels. Tipping can be mandatory sometimes.
3. Local Language: The official language is Arabic and Berber. French is widely spoken and understood. While English is not widely spoken, there are many people who can speak English, especially in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population are Muslims. Nevertheless, Christianity, Judaism, and Baha’i Faith are freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: The city celebrates Islam religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Islamic New Year, and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.