Bone surgeons slam traditional bone setters

The Nigerian Orthopaedic Association (NOA) says a dearth of orthopaedic surgeons is giving way for traditional bone setters to abuse patients. Speaking in Abuja at the association’s scientific conference, which focused on trauma care in Nigeria, NOA president Dr Felix Ogirima, said NOA would have to “look inward to producing highly skilled orthopaedic and trauma […]

The Nigerian Orthopaedic Association (NOA) says a dearth of orthopaedic surgeons is giving way for traditional bone setters to abuse patients.

Speaking in Abuja at the association’s scientific conference, which focused on trauma care in Nigeria, NOA president Dr Felix Ogirima, said NOA would have to “look inward to producing highly skilled orthopaedic and trauma surgeons, who can cover the high burden of surging orthopaedic patients, often abused by obsolete traditional practitioners."

Many have been described as quacks whom patients patronise because of cost and lack of access to orthopaedic surgeons.

"We need to train more general orthopaedic surgeons to upturn this trend,” said Ogirima.

He called on the government to sponsor surgeons for post fellowship programmes and equip hospitals to offer competitive and qualitative healthcare services.

In addition to training more doctors in trauma surgery and orthopaedics, the association wants the scope of health insurance broadened to cover orthopaedic procedures.

Dr Felix Ogedengbe, chairman of the NOA, zone 2, advised, "The government should enlarge the scope of National Health Insurance Scheme to cover orthopaedic health challenges like joint implant, bone replacement, amongst others.”

“Traditional bone setters, do a lot of harm in the short and long term as such people with bone-related medical issues should consult orthopaedic surgeons."