Migraine care in the MENA region, a focus on North Africa

Background In North Africa, where healthcare disparities are widespread, the burden of migraine is particularly underrecognized. This review explores the current landscape of migraine care in North Africa, identifying gaps in diagnosis, treatment access, healthcare infrastructure, and education, while highlighting opportunities for improvement. A narrative synthesis of recent literature, national surveys, and regional expert insights was conducted, with a focus on migraine prevalence, health system structure, treatment availability, and public awareness in North African countries. Migraine prevalence in North Africa ranges from 17% to over 30%, with most patients relying on over-the-counter medications and traditional therapies due to limited access to trained neurologists and low public awareness. Major barriers include geographic disparities, shortages in the neurology workforce, inadequate training at the primary care level, and financial constraints. Specialized headache services remain scarce outside capital cities. Conclusion Improving migraine care in North Africa requires integration into primary care, expanded specialist training, digital health solutions, and culturally tailored advocacy, supported by regional collaboration and research.