…400 patients get free medical care
By Chioma Obinna

The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, NOHIL, Lagos, in collaboration with Steps2Walk and the Global Health Charity and Training Foundation, GHCTF, has commenced a specialised foot and ankle surgical training and free medical outreach aimed at expanding access to quality orthopaedic care and reducing the burden of untreated foot deformities in Nigeria.


The five-day programme, which began Monday, August 10, combines specialist surgical training, knowledge transfer and community healthcare services, with more than 400 people already benefiting from free screening, consultations and medications.


The initiative also attracted an international faculty of orthopaedic specialists from the United States, United Kingdom, Türkiye and Pakistan, who are training Nigerian healthcare professionals on contemporary approaches to managing foot and ankle conditions.


Speaking at the commencement of the programme, Medical Director of NOHIL, Dr. Wakeel Lawal, described the collaboration as a major opportunity to strengthen specialist capacity and improve access to advanced foot and ankle care in Nigeria.


Lawal said exposure to contemporary global practices would enable participating specialists to transfer the knowledge gained to their various hospitals, thereby expanding access to specialised services and reducing the number of Nigerians who travel abroad for treatment.


He said: “This programme is important because it is not just about treating patients. It is also about transferring skills and knowledge to our specialists so that they can replicate what they have learnt in their various hospitals.


“This will ultimately improve access to specialised foot and ankle services across the country and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.”


The Foot and Ankle Surgical Course, held at the Pavilion Hall, featured lectures, clinical case presentations and interactive sessions ahead of about 30 live surgical procedures scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.


Representing Steps2Walk, Dr. John Lewis Ugbo said the organisation remained committed to improving the management of orthopaedic deformities among children and adults in developing countries.


He disclosed that Steps2Walk had provided medical supplies and equipment to support the programme while facilitating knowledge transfer between international specialists and Nigerian practitioners.


Ugbo drew attention to the burden of congenital clubfoot, noting that about three out of every 1,000 births are affected, while warning that delayed or inappropriate treatment could result in lifelong disability and other complications.


He said the programme was designed not merely to perform surgeries but to change the way orthopaedic deformities are identified and managed through early intervention, specialist training and sustainable capacity building.


“It is not just about coming here to do surgeries. It is about changing the approach to the management of orthopaedic deformities through early identification, appropriate treatment and training,” he said.


Ugbo also expressed Steps2Walk’s commitment to establishing a long-term partnership with NOHIL, including continued specialist training, provision of medical supplies and participation of international experts in future programmes.


Meanwhile, more than 400 residents benefited from the medical outreach held at NOHIL, with about 150 health volunteers supporting the exercise.


Beneficiaries received free screening for hypertension, diabetes, prostate health, high cholesterol, malaria and hepatitis B, as well as eye examinations.


Free medications were also provided, while beneficiaries requiring continued care were linked to the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme.


Speaking during the programme, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, commended Steps2Walk and GHCTF for supporting specialised orthopaedic care in the state.


Lajide described the collaboration with NOHIL as significant, stressing the importance of partnerships in expanding access to quality healthcare.


Also speaking, Dr. Adebayo Akintobi, representing GHCTF, commended the NOHIL leadership and volunteers for their commitment to the outreach.


Akintobi praised the volunteers for their compassion and dedication to the beneficiaries, saying the exercise demonstrated the capacity of NOHIL and its partners to deliver comprehensive healthcare services to a large number of people.


The medical outreach continues today, Tuesday, at the General Hospital, Somolu, where members of the public are expected to benefit from free health screening and other medical services.


The initiative is expected to culminate in the live surgical sessions later in the week, further strengthening local expertise in the management of complex foot and ankle conditions.