The Arthroplasty Society of Nigeria has partnered with the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala in Kano State to host a workshop on advancing the skills of doctors in shoulder arthroplasty.
The national president of the society, Prof. Aniekan Udoh Ekere, stressed the need to train doctors in shoulder replacement procedures, which are relatively new in Nigeria compared to other parts of the world where they have been practiced for an extended period.
The workshop aimed to equip orthopedic surgeons, already proficient in general orthopedics, with specialized expertise in areas such as arthroplasty, spine, arthroscopy and limb reconstruction, particularly focusing on joint replacement procedures for shoulder joints.
Prof Ekere stressed the importance of spreading this knowledge across the nation to ensure more doctors are skilled in performing shoulder joint surgeries, including replacements.
However, he pointed out challenges faced by the medical community, notably the lack of sufficient financial support from the government. This shortage hampers the availability of necessary resources for patient investigations and treatments, leading to difficulties in delivering optimal care.
To address these challenges, Ekere called for increased government intervention and support from non-governmental organisations and industries involved in importing essential medical supplies, particularly shoulder replacement parts. He emphasized the need for more companies to invest in these supplies to make them more accessible and affordable to patients.
The workshop, attended by dignitaries including the district head of Dala, Alhaji Abdullahi Sanusi, and the chief medical director of Dala Orthopedic Hospital, Dr Nuraddeen Isah, along with Dr Musa Muhammad, the local organising secretary, served as a platform to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among healthcare professionals dedicated to improving shoulder arthroplasty care in Nigeria.
