Our Story
Dr. Benjamin Warf
In 2000, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Warf encountered a high incidence of hydrocephalus while working at a hospital in eastern Uganda. Because the insertion of a shunt—the traditional treatment for hydrocephalus—is both prohibitively expensive and requires sustained medical monitoring, which is beyond the reach of most families in the Global South, Dr. Warf pioneered an alternative, low-cost treatment.
Dr. Warf combined two procedures, the endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and choroid plexus cauterization(CPC), now known as The Warf Method, to develop a relatively straightforward, one-time, cost-effective treatment. Clinical trials have demonstrated outcomes that are as safe and effective as shunts, but require far less medical infrastructure and post-surgical maintenance.
Recognizing hydrocephalus as the number one neurosurgical condition affecting children, Dr. Warf designed a training program for neurosurgeons throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, exponentially increasing the number of children who can now be treated using his method. As the number of trained surgeons has grown, so has the opportunity to do more.
In 2020, driven by the shared commitment to improve the lives of children living with disabilities, we started NeuroKids.
Timeline
2001
Dr. Benjamin Warf begins to offer pediatric neurosurgery services in eastern Uganda, where he encounters an overwhelming number of untreated cases of hydrocephalus. Charles Howard is the hospital’s first Executive Director.
2003
Knowing shunt failure rates, Dr. Warf combines two endoscopic procedures as an alternative to shunt placement, performing the first ETV/CPC (Warf method).
2005
Landmark publication highlighting the success of the Warf method (ETV/CPC)
2006
Dr. Warf and his family return to the United States. Dr. John Mugamba, Dr. Warf’s first trainee, becomes the hospital’s medical director. A year later, Derek Johnson arrives and steps into the Executive Director role.
2010
A program to train neurosurgeons from around the world in the Warf method is officially launched. Since then, more than 50 surgeons have been trained.
2015
Derek Johnson and his family return to the United States. Charles Howard serves as the director of the training program.
2020
NeuroKids is incorporated as a US-based nonprofit organization.
2021
NeuroKids reengages with Dr. Femi Bankole from Nigeria, and Dr. Peter Ssenyonga and Dr. Justin Onen from Uganda, adding them to our global team of expert trainers.
2022
NeuroKids launches the first training and treatment site in Egypt. Six months later, a second is launched in Brazil.
2023
NeuroKids expands into eight more countries, reaching more than 500 children and families with life-saving surgical care.
Donate
Donate now and join us in our mission to make it possible for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida to live longer and better lives. Together, we can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.
