By Matthew Johnson
Patients seeking specialist care at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, now wait up to eight months for appointments and five to six months for surgeries as the migration of healthcare professionals abroad continues to worsen manpower shortages in public hospitals.
The Rotary Club of Falomo, Lagos State, a non governmental organization on June 18, 2026 donated 20 wheelchairs valued at N3 million to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, bringing relief to patients amid mounting pressure on the nation’s healthcare system.
The donation, made under Rotary International’s humanitarian service initiatives, is aimed at improving patient mobility and supporting healthcare delivery at one of Nigeria’s leading specialist hospitals.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, President of the Rotary Club of Falomo, Rotarian Ibrahim Sule, who was represented by Rotarian Blessing Ofienbor, said the intervention reflected Rotary’s commitment to service above self and community development.
Ofienbor said the wheelchairs would help restore dignity, independence and hope to patients facing mobility challenges.
“This donation reflects Rotary’s commitment to service above self and our resolve to support institutions that provide critical services to society. These wheelchairs will help improve the lives of patients and ease their movement within and outside the hospital environment.” Ofienbor Said.
Receiving the items ,Head of Clinical Services at the hospital and Consultant Orthopaedic and Stroke Trauma Surgeon, Mr. Francis Nwachukwu, commend Rotary Club of Falomo, Lagos for its support to the institution.
Nwachukwu, noted that patient partnership between public institutions and private Organizations has become increasingly important in addressing healthcare challenges.
Nwachukwu Explained that the hospital was overwhelming patient traffic and manpower shortages have resulted in long waiting periods for surgeries and specialist consultations.
He said patients seeking treatment at some units of the hospital now face waiting periods stretching between five and eight months.
Nwachukwu attributed part of the challenge to the migration of healthcare professionals abroad, popularly known as the “japa” syndrome, which has left many public hospitals grappling with shortages of doctors and nurses.
Nwachukwu Said : “We thank the Rotary Club of Falomo in a very special way for all they have been doing for us in assisting us to care for the population we are here to serve.
“At the Trauma Unit, my operation list for surgery extends to about five or six months from now. If you go to the Spine Clinic now, the least appointment you may get is eight months.
“Being a government hospital, there are so many needs and the government obviously cannot cope alone. Even in the best societies, there is no way the government can cope alone with taking care of the health needs of the population.
“We have few doctors as a result of the japa syndrome. We also have nurses who are leaving the system. The government has been trying over the years, but it is getting more challenging to get funds, even for things that have been budgeted for,” Nwachukwu said
Also speaking at the ceremony, Assistant Governor of Rotary District 9112, Rotarian Orji Ajah, said the club identified the need for wheelchairs during its engagement with the hospital and decided to intervene as part of Rotary International’s focus on disease prevention and healthcare support.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the club’s Service Project Committee,Mr. Tokunbo Adefuye, explained that the donation formed part of a broader healthcare intervention programme being implemented by the club.
Adefuye disclosed that Rotary Falomo recently donated 25 baby cots, mosquito nets and other items to Lagos Island Maternity Hospital and deliberately spread its resources across multiple impactful projects.
The donation underscores the growing role of civic organizations in supporting Nigeria’s healthcare sector and providing relief to vulnerable patients amid increasing pressure on public health institutions.