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50 Neurosurgeons, Grossly Inadequate For Nigeria -Malomo
A Consultant Neurosurgeon, Prof. Adefolarin Malomo, says there are only 50 neurosurgeons in Nigeria, describing the situation as “grossly inadequate’’.
Malomo, who works at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Ibadan.
Our correspondent reports that a neurosurgeon is a medical specialist who treats diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spine, spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves.
Malomo said that while the number of neurosurgeons have increased in comparison to his early days, when he started as a neurosurgeon, neurosurgical service in Nigeria remained grossly inadequate.
“Neurosurgery in Nigeria actually started with Prof. Latunde Odekun in 1962 after training in the U.S as a neurosurgeon; he was actually the first black neurosurgeon anywhere in the world.
“As of 1992, there were just six neurosurgeons in Anglophone- West Africa, but today we have about 50 neurosurgeons in Nigeria alone.
“That is still very far from some cities in North America which have over 30 neurosurgeons.
“Our small number of neurosurgeons are also not evenly distributed; we have none in the North-Eastern part of the country,” he said.
According to the neurosurgeon, neurosurgery as a field of medicine remains critical, especially in a country where road traffic accidents are increasingly common.
He said that more neurosurgeons are needed to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths and complications caused by unattended neurosurgical cases.
“If you break your brain, you break yourself, your life and your goal; your brain affects the body and the person.
“Road traffic accident are pretty common in a country like ours due to many factors, including technological and economical underdevelopment.
“A lot of accidents occur that lead to brain and spinal cord injuries; when you break your spinal cord, you break your life, everything changes.
“As a result, we need people who are trained in this specialty that can act promptly to prevent unnecessary morbidity and complications,” he said.
Malomo said the dearth of neurosurgical practice in the country was not unconnected with the poof infrastructure and incentives.
He said that the longer period of residency training in neurosurgery had also not encouraged many to go into that specialty.
“The field of neurosurgery is one of the most sophisticated surgical specialties
“All over the world, interest in neurosurgery tends to be on the lower side, mostly because of the duration that it takes, the stress and the pattern of life it dictates.
“You spend six years in medical school and if you want to train as a neurosurgeon you spend another six years, whereas, those that go into other specialty spend lesser years,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
