Are Birth Control Pills REALLY Causing Brain Tumors? Rwanda’s First Female Neurosurgeon Speaks Out

Dr. Claire Karekezi is Rwanda’s first female neurosurgeon — one of just seven neurosurgeons serving over 14 million people. In this compelling episode of The Long Form Podcast, she opens up about the life-and-death pressure inside the operating room, the leading causes of brain trauma in Rwanda, the role of AI and robotics in African medicine, and what it takes to keep your brain healthy. From treating stroke and accident victims to mentoring young doctors, Dr. Karekezi’s journey is a story of brilliance, resilience, and purpose. Timecodes: 0:00 – Intro: Previews 0:36 – The Long Form Theme Song 1:18 – Meet Dr. Claire Karekezi — Rwanda’s First Female Neurosurgeon 1:56 – Join The Long Form Community! 2:23 – Why Rwanda Needs More Neurosurgeons 9:26 – Support The Long Form Podcast 10:03 – Where You Can Find Neurosurgeons in Rwanda 11:36 – How I Decide Who Needs Brain Surgery and Who Doesn’t 17:37 – Avoiding Misdiagnosis: How to Save Lives as a Brain Surgeon 20:11 – Inside a Neurosurgeon’s Schedule: Between Surgeries & Teaching 24:26 – Achieving a Work-Life Balance in a High-Stress Career 28:20 – How I Cope with Losing a Patient 37:25 – Overcoming Fear: My Early Years as a Junior Neurosurgeon 41:30 – The Leading Cause of Brain Injuries in Rwanda 48:12 – Venue Partner: Kigali Marriott Hotel 49:49 – Why Bicycle Accidents in Rwanda Need Regulation 53:01 – How to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Prevent Tumors 57:02 – Why Women Are More Likely to Get Brain Tumors 59:16 – Warning Signs of a Brain Tumor You Shouldn’t Ignore 1:11:25 – Habits That Keep Your Brain Sharp for Life 1:17:03 – How Rwanda Can Build a Stronger Neurosurgery Sector 1:25:37 – Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Neurosurgeons? 1:36:06 – Different Races Develop Different Brain Tumors 1:37:43 – Is it challenging for women to become neurosurgeons? 1:41:41 – How Long Does Brain Surgery Really Take? 1:49:05 – A Day in My Life: Preparing for Surgery 1:52:26 – Why I Chose to Return and Practice in Rwanda 2:00:04 – Closing Remarks 2:03:33 – Thank