Studies in some Nigerian hospitals have shown that orthopaedic trauma is a major Public health burden that contributes significantly to an estimated loss of $1.2 billion annually to medical tourism with road traffic accidents, falls and gunshot injuries as leading causes.
To address these challenges and achieve improved health outcomes as promised by the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, there must be a concerted effort on training and retraining of medical professionals. This was the submission of speakers at an international health workshop in Lagos on the principles of trauma care and soft tissue reconstruction
Lack of modern facilities, expertise and absence of a formal trauma care system are identified drivers of medical tourism especially in orthopaedic trauma care among Nigerians
With the training of some orthopaedic trauma care surgeons and reconstructive plastic surgeons here by a group of foreign experts at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi in Lagos State, the narrative is expected to change soon.
Reducing the high cost of trauma care equipment through encouraging local production is also said to be a viable solution to the challenge of orthopaedic trauma care in Nigeria.
The need for improved working conditions and better welfare package to make trained medical professionals stay back in Nigeria also came to the fore.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
