Health
THE National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL), in collaboration with its international partners, Steps2Walk and the Global Health Charity and Training Foundation (GHCTF), on Monday, August 10, 2026, commenced a Foot and Ankle Surgical Course and Medical Outreach programme.
The programme combines specialised surgical training, knowledge transfer and free community healthcare services, with the broader objective of improving access to quality foot and ankle care while strengthening the capacity of Nigerian healthcare professionals.
Speaking at the commencement of the programme, the Medical Director of NOHIL, Dr. Wakeel Lawal, commended the Steps2Walk and GHCTF teams, as well as other partners, for the initiative. He described the programme as an important platform for skills transfer, specialist training and improved access to quality healthcare in Nigeria.
Dr. Lawal noted that exposure to contemporary global practices would enable participating specialists to replicate the knowledge acquired in their respective hospitals, thereby expanding access to specialised foot and ankle services across the country and reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment.
The Foot and Ankle Surgical Course, held at the Pavilion Hall, featured members of the international faculty from the United States, United Kingdom, Türkiye and Pakistan, who delivered lectures and presented clinical cases to participating healthcare professionals.
The sessions focused on contemporary approaches to the management of foot and ankle conditions, providing participants with relevant clinical knowledge and practical insights ahead of approximately 30 live surgical procedures scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, and Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Representing Steps2Walk, Dr. John Lewis Ugbo reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment 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 and facilitate knowledge transfer.
Speaking on the prevalence of foot deformities, Dr. Lewis Ugbo highlighted congenital clubfoot as a significant condition, noting that approximately three out of every 1,000 births are affected. He expressed concern over complications arising from neglected or poorly treated deformities in different parts of Nigeria, stressing the importance of early identification, appropriate treatment and specialist training in improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Lewis Ugbo emphasised that the programme was not solely about performing surgeries, but also about changing the approach to the management of orthopaedic deformities through early intervention, training and sustainable capacity building.
He further expressed Steps2Walk’s commitment to establishing a long-term partnership with NOHIL, with plans for continued training, provision of medical supplies and the participation of international specialists in future programmes.
Over Four Hundred people benefitted from the medical outreach, held at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos and the exercise was supported by about 150 health volunteers.
Services provided included blood pressure and blood glucose checks, prostate health screening, cholesterol testing, malaria parasite testing, hepatitis B screening and eye examinations.
Beneficiaries also received free medications and were also linked to the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme for continued access to healthcare.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, appreciated Steps2Walk and GHCTF for supporting the provision of specialised orthopaedic care in Lagos State. He described the collaboration with NOHIL as a significant one for the State.
Also speaking during the programme, Dr. Adebayo Akintobi, representing the Global Health Charity and Training Foundation (GHCTF), appreciated the leadership of NOHIL and the various volunteers involved in the outreach.
He commended the volunteers for their compassion, enthusiasm and commitment to attending to beneficiaries, noting that the programme demonstrated the capacity of the Hospital and its partners to deliver comprehensive care to a large number of patients.
The medical outreach is expected to continue on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the General Hospital, Somolu, where members of the public will continue to benefit from free healthcare services.
The Foot and Ankle Surgical Course and Medical Outreach underscores NOHIL’s commitment to strengthening specialist capacity, expanding access to quality orthopaedic care and fostering sustainable local and international partnerships towards improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
M.P
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