Specialists have stressed the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of foot deformities, warning that neglected or poorly managed conditions could result in complications, disability and poorer patient outcomes.

They spoke at the commencement of a Foot and Ankle Surgical Course and Medical Outreach Programme organised by the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (NOHIL), in collaboration with Steps2Walk and the Global Health Charity and Training Foundation (GHCTF).

The programme, which commenced recently, combines specialised surgical training, knowledge transfer and free community healthcare services, with the broader objective of improving access to quality foot and ankle care and strengthening the capacity of Nigerian healthcare professionals.

Speaking at the commencement of the programme, a representative of Steps2Walk, Dr John Ugbo, identified congenital clubfoot as a significant foot deformity, noting that approximately three out of every 1,000 births are affected.

Ugbo expressed concern over complications associated with neglected or poorly treated foot deformities in different parts of Nigeria, stressing that early identification, appropriate treatment and specialist training were critical to improving patient outcomes.

He said the initiative was not simply about performing surgeries but about changing the approach to the management of orthopaedic deformities through early intervention, training and sustainable capacity building.

According to him, the programme was designed to strengthen healthcare professionals’ ability to recognise and appropriately manage foot and ankle conditions while improving access to specialised care for patients.

Ugbo reiterated Steps2Walk’s commitment to improving the management of orthopaedic deformities among children and adults in developing countries.

He disclosed that the organisation had provided medical supplies and equipment to support the programme and facilitate knowledge transfer.

He also expressed commitment to establishing a long-term partnership with NOHIL, including continued training, provision of medical supplies and participation of international specialists in future programmes.

The Medical Director of NOHIL, Dr Wakeel Lawal, commended Steps2Walk, GHCTF and other partners for supporting the programme, describing the initiative as an important platform for skills transfer, specialist training and improved access to quality healthcare in Nigeria.

Lawal said 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.

He added that such knowledge transfer could help reduce the need for patients to travel abroad to access specialised treatment. The Foot and Ankle Surgical Course featured international faculty members 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 and provided participants with clinical knowledge and practical insights ahead of approximately 30 live surgical procedures.

The programme also featured a medical outreach that provided free healthcare services to more than 400 people, with about 150 health volunteers supporting the exercise.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Lajide, described the collaboration with NOHIL as significant for Lagos State, noting the importance of partnerships that strengthen specialist healthcare delivery and build local capacity.

Also speaking, Dr Adebayo Akintobi, representing GHCTF, commended the leadership of NOHIL and the volunteers involved in the outreach for their compassion, enthusiasm and commitment to attending to beneficiaries.

The organisers said the combination of specialist training, surgical intervention and community outreach was intended to create a sustainable model for improving foot and ankle care while strengthening the ability of local healthcare professionals to manage complex orthopaedic conditions.