Impact of COVID-19 on Maxillofacial Surgical Services in Africa: Implications for Future Practice.

Objective: To determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on maxillofacial surgical service and institutional preparedness for similar pandemic in Africa.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons and senior registrars who practiced in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic was undertaken. The survey was presented in English and French language to reach almost all OMF surgeons in Africa. Responses were deidentified and analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results: Respondents from 69 hospitals located in 34 cities of 16 African countries, participated in this study. Their practices were in University Teaching hospitals (66.7%), public hospitals (27.5%) and private hospitals (5.8%). COVID-19 pandemic restrictions affected services in 49 (71.0%) hospitals which offered services limited to trauma, infections and oncology. Practice and infection control guidelines were provided by 66 (95.6%) of the hospitals. Fifty-two respondents collected specimens for COVID-19 screening in patients; and 39 (56.5%) were positive. While 27.5% of respondents perceived that their institutions appreciated the need for preparedness against future outbreak, 39.1% were uncertain if their institution did. Preparedness to handle a similar situation in the future is low.

Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic restricted the practice of full scope OMFS in Africa; comprehensive review of the event and development of institutional policies and practices to effectively combat future pandemic is needful.