The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi (NOHIL), Lagos, in partnership with the Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Trauma (IGOT), has commenced the second phase of an international health workshop aimed at equipping surgeons with modern skills to save limbs and improve trauma care outcomes across Nigeria.
The five-day programme, themed “Principles of Trauma Care and Soft Tissue Reconstruction,” opened on Wednesday at the hospital’s pavilion, drawing participants from across Nigeria as well as Kenya, Ghana, and the United States.
Declaring the workshop open, the Acting Medical Director of NOHIL, Dr. Wakeel Lawal, said the training is part of efforts to advance the Federal Government’s renewed focus on population health through continuous skill enhancement for medical professionals.
“Improving population health requires enhancing the capacity of our healthcare workforce. One of the ways to achieve this is by providing regular training that exposes our surgeons to international standards in trauma and reconstructive care.”
He explained that while it is often expensive to send Nigerian doctors abroad for specialised training, hosting international experts locally allows for wider participation and greater impact.
“By bringing experts from partner institutions to Nigeria, we are able to train more doctors at once. This ensures that the knowledge gained can be immediately applied to local cases and conditions.”
Lawal noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, records a high rate of trauma cases from road crashes, industrial accidents, and other emergencies.
He said the workshop is designed to address these realities and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian surgeons to deliver timely, life-saving interventions.
“This programme will not only help trauma victims but also people with limb deformities such as bow legs or knock knees,” he added. “If such deformities are corrected early, patients can avoid future complications like severe osteoarthritis.”
Chief Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Emeka Izuagba, who specialises in paediatric orthopaedics and limb reconstruction, said the training, known as the SMART Course (Soft-Tissue Management and Reconstructive Trauma), focuses on reducing the high rate of disability and amputation resulting from poorly managed trauma cases.
“Trauma is one of the most common causes of disability and loss of livelihood in Nigeria. Through this training, we are teaching our doctors the best practices for managing both bone and soft tissue injuries, from accident scenes to full recovery.”
He explained that the course also addresses the challenges of late presentation and the dangers of patronising traditional bone setters, which often worsen injuries.
“Eighty per cent of amputations in orthopaedic hospitals are due to complications from unskilled treatment.
Many simple fractures become life-threatening because patients first seek help from unqualified hands. This training aims to reduce such cases by strengthening the competence of certified trauma surgeons.”
Izuagba added that IGOT and its partner, Sine Fracture Care International, have supported NOHIL with manpower, equipment, and training resources to make trauma care more affordable and effective.
“Many of the instruments used in trauma management are imported and expensive.
Our partnership helps us access donated equipment and teaching materials, which ultimately benefits our patients.” Izuagba explained.
An orthopaedic trauma surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, and Co-Director of IGOT, Dr. David Shearer, said the programme focuses on preventing infections and unnecessary amputations through improved surgical techniques.
“This course teaches surgeons how to clean and stabilise complex limb injuries, cover exposed bone, and reconstruct damaged tissues,” Shearer said. “The goal is to restore function, prevent complications, and get patients back to normal life.”
He praised the enthusiasm of Nigerian surgeons, describing the collaboration as a model for sustainable surgical education in Africa.
The workshop includes hands-on training sessions, live surgical demonstrations, and lectures on advanced techniques in trauma and reconstructive surgery.
Officials said the programme will create a stronger network of trained trauma surgeons capable of delivering high-quality care, reducing limb loss, and saving more lives nationwide.
