Heart Surgery Training Returns to Nigeria.

By Abraham Ariyo

Cardiovascular surgery debuted in Nigeria in the 1970s, thanks to the pioneering efforts of the first two Nigerian-born, American-trained cardiothoracic surgeons, Professor Udekwu and Professor Grillo. These trailblazers worked together at the University College Hospital (UCH) in the 1960s, laying the foundation for heart surgery nationwide.

In 1974, Nigeria witnessed its first open-heart surgery in Enugu, led by Professor Udekwu and his team, with the invaluable expertise of Dr. Yacoub, a British expatriate. Determined to establish a lasting heart training program, Professor Grillo trained his colleagues and associates in the United States. Upon their return, he performed the first all-Nigerian open-heart surgery at UCH in Ibadan in 1978. This marked the beginning of cardiovascular surgery training across various centers in Nigeria.

However, from the late 2000s onward, the quality of university teaching hospital facilities for open-heart surgery significantly declined. Consequently, many skilled heart surgeons left the country, a trend locally referred to as “Japa,” leaving the remaining programs unable to effectively train new specialists.

Since then, no center in Nigeria has been accredited for cardiac surgery training. Aspiring Nigerian cardiac surgeons must often pay exorbitant fees to train in Ghana, a country with heart surgery programs.

In a landmark development in 2023, Tristate Health System, led by Professor Kamar T. Adeleke, with its main hospital in Lekki, Lagos, and affiliate hospitals, performed more heart surgeries than the combined total in Ghanaian institutions. Recognizing this feat, the West African College of Surgeons accreditation bodies visited Tristate. They subsequently approved the Center for Cardiovascular Surgery training program, which are set to commence immediately.

This accreditation is grounded in a collaborative structure involving three key centers:

· Tristate Healthcare System, Lekki, Lagos (a private facility)

· Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) (a state facility)

· Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) in Ile-Ife (a federal facility)

Trainees will rotate through these institutions, gaining extensive experience, substantial case volume, and expert mentorship. They will ultimately be equipped to meet world-class standards in cardiovascular surgery.

Encouraged by health leaders, including Professor Pate, the Minister of Health, and Dr. Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, this collaborative initiative represents a significant milestone in revitalizing heart surgery training in Nigeria. It paves the way for a more robust healthcare system and a brighter future for the country’s medical landscape.

Abraham A. Ariyo, M.D. HeartMasters Cardiology.