FG Seeks Collaboration, Adoption Of Improved Surgical Procedures in Nigeria

Mary Nnah

As part of its effort to minimise negative impacts, and provide appropriate solutions when issues arise in surgical operations, the National Institute for Health Research on Global Surgery Unit (NIHR GSU) has advocated surgical research through workforce development and collaboration for better surgical outcomes.

This topped discussion at the 7th annual meeting of the 2023 NIHR GSU conference held in Lagos to create access to surgical care and improved surgical outcomes for patients.

The Unit Co-director of the organisation Prof Dion Morton said appropriate compensation or corrective actions can help make amends and rebuild trust whenever a challenge occurs on a surgical operation.

Morton said collaborating with professional associations needs engagement that is dedicated to surgical excellence and offers access to resources, research, and guidelines, adding that collaboration can facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices adoption, and continuous improvement in surgical processes.

“Improving surgeries and making amends for any negative impact is crucial for ensuring patient safety and satisfaction. Highlighting what is required for continuous education and training: Medical professionals should undergo regular training and education to stay updated with the latest surgical techniques, equipment, and protocols. This would ensure that surgeries are performed using the best practices available.

“By implementing these measures, surgical teams and healthcare organizations can continuously strive for better surgical outcomes, appropriate compensation or corrective actions can help make amends and rebuild trust.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria recommends improved surgical procedures as a way to improve the delivery of quality healthcare services in the country”, he noted.

Morton a member of NIHR and a professor of Colorectal Surgery at the University of Birmingham, described the meeting as a crucial platform to hold deliberations on global leading research in Nigeria and its other members.

He said that seeking improved practices and transforming the lives of surgical patients were issues that were being addressed through its various discussions.

Morton mentioned that the institute has conducted studies involving cohorts of no fewer than 200,000 patients from three continents in 100 countries.

He added that the studies also included 25,000 patients in intervention trials aimed at improving outcomes for surgical care.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, stressed the need for enhancing pre-operative assessment, a  careful pre-operative evaluation of patients helps identify potential risks or contraindications before surgery. By conducting thorough assessments, surgeons can make informed decisions and proactively address any issues that may arise during the procedure.

Pate added that hospitals and surgical centres should establish quality assurance programs to monitor and evaluate surgical outcomes. Regular audits, reviews, and discussions can help identify areas for improvement and take corrective actions promptly.

He said creating a culture that prioritizes patient safety is imperative. Encouraging open communication, reporting incidents, and learning from mistakes fosters an environment where surgical teams can identify and address any issues before they escalate.

“Stressing the need to embrace new technology, such as robotic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and precision instruments, can improve surgical outcomes and reduce the likelihood of complications. Surgeons should regularly evaluate and adopt technologies that have proven to enhance safety and efficacy.

“Ensuring effective communication among the surgical team is crucial to avoid misunderstandings or errors. Standardized protocols for information sharing, including patient data and critical updates, can minimise the risk of adverse events.

“Conducting Post-Operative Follow-ups: Regular post-operative follow-ups allow surgeons to monitor patients’ recovery, address any concerns, and provide necessary interventions promptly. This helps detect and correct any potential negative impacts from the surgery.

Moreso, he noted establishing a patient feedback system: Providing patients the opportunity to share feedback on their surgical experience helps identify areas for improvement. Hospitals and surgical centres can establish transparent feedback mechanisms and use this information to make enhancements and prevent the recurrence of negative impacts.

“Instituting Redressal Mechanisms: In the unfortunate event of a negative impact from a surgery, hospitals should have well-defined procedures to address patient complaints. Timely investigations, open communication.”

 Pate, who was represented by Dr Jimoh Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), said improved surgical procedures would reposition the health sector of Nigeria to be efficient in its services.

He said that the institute, through its various contributions in the medical sector particularly as the platform for facilitating the largest collaboration in surgery across the globe, is critical to helping Nigeria in attaining the feat.

Nigeria Hub Director, Prof. Ademuyiwa Adesoji, said Nigeria as a member of the global hub funded by the UK NIHR, has recorded giant strides in line with its objectives and has performed creditably well.

He assured the institute of government’s support in its discharge of duties saying that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is prioritizing research as critical to facilitating development in the healthcare industry.

Adesoji described the body as the UK’s largest funder of healthcare which has been supporting Nigeria’s researchers in their studies.

He said that the institute had been involved in cutting-edge research which had resulted in feats being adopted for various interventions in surgery.

Adesoji expressed hope that could help. Research is playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing surgical practices and improving patient outcomes. This research is focused on various aspects of surgery, including infection control and the reduction of surgical mistakes.

“One significant area of research is aimed at developing innovative techniques and technologies to minimise the risk of contamination during surgeries. Infections acquired in the operating room can have devastating consequences for patients, leading to complications, prolonged hospital stays, and even mortality. To combat this, scientists and surgeons are working collaboratively to develop new protocols and tools to reduce the chances of contamination

“Surgeons required support from government and other key stakeholders, more so improving in the surgical sector would be recorded.

However, the Director of Research and Development, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund), Dr Salihu Bakari said that the agency was committed to funding research and collaborations in tertiary institutions to facilitate the needed impact. Bakari stated that he was there to represent the Executive Secretary of the trust fund, Sonny Echono who was unavoidable absent.

Overall, the impact of world-leading research in changing surgical practice and improving surgeries cannot be overstated. From reducing contamination risks to minimising surgical mistakes, ongoing research is playing a critical role in advancing surgical care and enhancing patient outcomes.

Furthermore, cutting-edge research is also focused on reducing surgical mistakes, such as wrong-site surgeries or medication errors. These errors can lead to serious harm or even death for patients. As a result, researchers are exploring new technologies and systems that can assist surgeons in preventing such mistakes.