A Nigerian hospital
Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto

Medical tourism by Nigerians will be further reduced as the Bone and Joint Orthopaedic Hospital in Sokoto has joined other hospitals in Lagos, Abuja and other cities in the country by successfully carrying out its first hip replacement surgery.

The feat was conducted on a 65-year old woman, Hajiya Rukaya Muhammad of Wamakko local government area of the state by three surgeons.

Speaking with THISDAY on Thursday about the feat recorded in Sokoto, the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Muhammad Oboirien, said the surgery lasted for two and half hours to correct the hip of the woman that was damaged due to severe arthritis.

He explained that the 65-year old patient came to the hospital limping, adding that with the conduct of the surgery, she had become stable.

"This is the first time a joint replacement is being done in the whole of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states. Our patient came here limping and in serious discomfort two months ago and was also finding it difficult to walk because of the problem.

"What we did was to conduct an x-ray of the pelvis and through that, we noticed that one of her hip bones was damaged and as such required to be replaced.

"So, we procured the implant from Lagos and the hip replacement was carried on successfully on April 21. As I am talking to you now, the patient is stable and has started walking with a walker," he said.

Oboirien disclosed that it cost between N700,000 and N750,000 for the hip replacement to be done at the hospital, including the implant, drugs, and all others.

He stated that the cost of hip replacement was cheaper in the country when compared to Dubai, India and other European country where it cost about N2 million, including airfare and accommodation.

"The implication is that hip replacement surgery and other services are available in Lagos and a few places at a lesser cost than for a patient to travel abroad. Many Nigerian surgeons have undergone training on joint replacement in India, Pakistan and Europe.

"In fact, in the past, nobody thought joint replacement could be carried out in the country but now it is readily available here in Sokoto," he explained.

He appealed to the Federal Government to embark on an enlightenment campaign to discourage people from travelling abroad for ailments that could be easily treated in the country, saying this would reduce capital flight.

wachakuta:
HIPS don't lie

lumzybo:
That's good news. I wanna commend the surgeons as well as the hospital for the successful hip replacement.

Goodluck on her new hip
Congrat






FTC make una celebrate with me.

lumzybo:
That's good news. I wanna commend the surgeons as well as the hospital for the successful hip replacement.

Goodluck on her new hip







FTC make una celebrate with me.

hensben:
Cool

Pharm. hensben

Tval:
Are you a pharmacist?

Ezedon:
We are still on hip when others have gone far