Expert seeks collaboration in tackling rising osteoporosis cases in Nigeria

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Health, Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge, has sought collaboration between the government and the private sector in tackling rising cases of osteoporosis across the nation.

He warned against the threat of osteoporosis issues in Nigeria, particularly among the elderly.

Speaking in Ibadan during the official opening of the Centre, Alonge, a former Chief Medical Director (CMD) at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, called for public enlightenment, earlier prevention, and collaboration between government and the private sector in combating the issue.

He emphasized the need for synergy between governments, the private sector, and health operators to create more access to quality healthcare.

He said, “Health is both a business and a social service. No amount of money released by the government alone can solve Nigeria’s health problems. If the private sector is not integrated, the system will not work.”

He urged political leaders and institutions to invest in preventive care for the elderly rather than short-term populist spending.

“Bone health remains poorly understood by the general public, despite bones being one of the most vital organs of the human body.”

According to him, osteoporosis is a condition where bone mineral content reduces to the point that even minor falls can lead to fractures, commonly affecting the wrist, hip, and spine.

He said bone health remains poorly understood by the general public, despite bones being one of the most vital organs of the human body.

He described osteoporosis as a condition where bone mineral content reduces to the point that even minor falls can lead to fractures, known as fragility fractures, commonly affecting the wrist, hip, and spine.

“People often think bone is just the skeleton that gives you height and structure, but bone is a very important organ. Apart from providing the framework of what you look like, it is the biggest store of key minerals in the body, particularly calcium.”

He explained that bone formation and breakdown occur continuously through a process known as remodeling, driven by a delicate balance between bone-forming cells, called osteoblasts, and bone-resorbing cells, known as osteoclasts.

Earlier in her remarks, the Commissioner for Health in Oyo State, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described the Centre as a major step toward improving the quality of life of elderly residents.

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She said, “This centre is actually for our health. As we grow older, there is a tendency for our bones to become softer, and when elderly people fall, their bones can break easily.”

She noted that the facility is equipped to assess bone mineral density and determine the level of bone loss in patients.

“From the assessment, they can know whether a patient has bone softness or related conditions, and then offer the right support to keep the bones strong.”

Ajetunmobi added that the centre would also provide counselling, lifestyle guidance, and nutritional advice to help older people age more gracefully.