Government at All Levels Urged to Train More Surgeons
KEHINDE AKINPELU, ILORIN
Government at all levels has been urged to invest more in the training of general surgeons to save lives and improve healthcare delivery in the country.
Professor Abdus-Samiu Musa-Olomu of the Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, made the call while delivering the institution’s 308th Inaugural Lecture titled “Beauty of the Surgeon’s Knife: Bringing Smiles to Patients’ Faces” at the University Auditorium, Ilorin, Kwara State.
He also advocated for the Federal Government to revisit the proposal for the creation of the Office of the Surgeon-General to enhance the coordination and effectiveness of surgical healthcare services.
- Advertisement -
Professor Musa-Olomu further suggested that the salaries of healthcare workers should be prioritised, noting that improved remuneration would serve as an incentive and encourage greater commitment to service delivery.
He stressed the need for state and local governments to ensure adequate training for traditional bone setters and traditional birth attendants to improve their skills and practices.
The inaugural lecturer also called for a review and proper restructuring of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme to make healthcare services more accessible and effective.
Reflecting on the human experience of illness, Musa-Olomu noted that falling sick was often a distressing experience because of the uncertainty surrounding the outcome, which could result in recovery or death.
He explained that the anxiety becomes even greater when patients are informed that surgery is required to restore their health. However, he noted that when surgical procedures are properly conducted with the necessary precautions, patients often leave the hospital with smiles on their faces.
The professor described surgeons as indispensable professionals in both academic and hospital settings, stressing that their expertise plays a critical role in saving lives and restoring hope to patients.
According to him, the beauty of a surgeon’s knife lies in its ability to bring smiles to patients’ faces through successful surgical interventions.
He further explained that general surgeons are commonly responsible for managing surgical intensive care units and trauma intensive care units, where they are expected to recognise emergencies, provide early management and ensure appropriate referrals when necessary.
He emphasised that strengthening surgical training, improving healthcare infrastructure and supporting medical professionals would significantly enhance the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper November 8th, 2026
