The Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Dr Wakeel Lawal, speaks with JANET OGUNDEPO on orthopaedic and trauma care, the hospital’s efforts in training bone specialists, and its contributions to the development of the health sector over the past eight decades
How has the hospital contributed to orthopaedic and trauma care, as well as the training of specialists, in Nigeria over the last 80 years?
The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, is a leading centre of excellence in orthopaedic, trauma, plastic and reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation, not just in Nigeria, but across the West African sub-region. It is a hospital where innovation, quality, patient-centred care, and clinical research thrive, supported by a motivated and highly skilled workforce, world-class infrastructure and strong stakeholder collaboration. We have high-quality, accessible, and affordable orthopaedic and trauma care that meets global standards. This is what we are known for as the foremost institution in the country providing orthopaedic, trauma, plastic, and reconstructive surgical care.
Also, by building a strong institutional culture of clinical governance, ethical practice, and accountability, we ensure optimal patient outcomes and public trust. We prioritise the continuous professional development of staff through structured training, mentorship, and international exposure. This is an area where we are proudest of our achievements, as about 70 per cent, if not more, of orthopaedic surgeons trained in Nigeria who are presently practising either within the country or overseas, were trained, either fully or partly, at the hospital. We expand existing training privileges to ensure we have highly skilled surgeons across the country, and, more importantly, prioritise the training of other allied professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to fabricate prostheses and other orthopaedic supportive devices. Advancing the innovation and evidence-based practice, while fostering indigenous research that addresses local and regional musculoskeletal challenges.
