President of the Nigerian Burn Injury Society (NBIS), Dr. Innih A. Kadiri, has called for greater efforts to improve pediatric burn care and address burn wound infections, describing both as critical challenges affecting the long-term survival and well-being of burn patients in Nigeria.
Kadiri made the call in his welcome address at the 31st Nigerian Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (NAPRAS) and 19th NBIS Annual Joint General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said the NBIS conference theme, “Pediatric Burn Care,” with the subtheme “Burn Wound Infection,” focused on two critical areas of burn management, noting that children remain particularly vulnerable to burn injuries, while wound infections continue to contribute significantly to morbidity, mortality and poor outcomes.
According to him, the conference provides an important platform for healthcare professionals to exchange knowledge, create professional networks and discuss innovative approaches to burn treatment and reconstructive surgery in Nigeria.
He expressed confidence that scientific deliberations would generate practical solutions capable of improving burn care in Nigeria and beyond.
Kadiri reaffirmed NBIS’ commitment to advancing burn care and expressed optimism that the conference would produce meaningful insights and practical interventions to improve outcomes for burn patients, particularly vulnerable children.
The President of NAPRAS, Professor Iffeanyichukwu L. Omah, also called for increased research, practical training, data sharing and international collaboration to advance plastic surgery in Nigeria and position the country as a regional hub for the specialty.
Omah highlighted the association’s increasing emphasis on practical training for residents and consultants, citing breast reconstruction, microsurgery, hand surgery and cosmetic surgery programs as important initiatives.
He also expressed concern about impostors in the profession and pledged continued engagement with regulatory authorities to address the threat.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, called for stronger public-private partnerships to improve burn care, reconstructive surgery and other specialized healthcare services across Nigeria.
Adebowale, who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Juwon Arotiba, explained that conditions requiring reconstructive surgery, including congenital anomalies, burns and traumatic injuries, often have consequences that extend beyond physical injuries and affect patients’ psychological well-being, development, education, productivity and social participation.
Therefore, the Vice Chancellor advocated for comprehensive and interdisciplinary care that addresses not only surgical repair but also the long-term functional, psychosocial and developmental needs of patients.
He stressed that Nigeria must strengthen its health systems to ensure that specialist expertise is translated into accessible, safe and effective services for vulnerable populations.
He noted that pediatric burns and wound infections constitute serious public health problems in Nigeria, particularly given the country’s large young population, and urged specialists to develop evidence-based strategies for prevention, early intervention and treatment.
Adebowale also challenged specialists to take prevention beyond hospitals, educating communities about injury prevention, early presentation and available treatment options.
The Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, also called for greater collaboration and research to improve burn and reconstructive care in Nigeria.
Otegbayo, who spoke through the Vice Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), Professor Olusola Olawoye, described burn injuries as a major public health problem that requires multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive patient care.
Accordingly, he urged healthcare professionals to strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration while prioritizing continuing professional development to keep pace with the rapid evolution of medical knowledge, surgical techniques, technologies, treatment protocols and evidence-based practices.
The CMD also noted that the country’s large population and significant burden of trauma, burns and conditions requiring reconstructive interventions demanded research capable of producing solutions that were accessible, affordable and sustainable within the Nigerian health system.
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Earlier, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, speaking on the theme of the conference, “Quality Improvement in Plastic Surgery”, highlighted that plastic and reconstructive surgery goes beyond aesthetics to restore function, dignity, independence and quality of life.
Therefore, he called for safer, more effective, timely, equitable, patient-centered and evidence-based care, supported by multidisciplinary collaboration between different health professionals.
He challenged NAPRAS, NBIS, government, tertiary institutions and other partners to work together to expand access to specialist reconstructive care, prevent avoidable injuries, improve outcomes for children, reduce complications and infections and strengthen rehabilitation and innovation.
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