IBB Specialist Hospital Achieves Milestones with First Brain Surgery and Total Knee Replacement Procedure
By Yahaya Zakka Minna
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Specialist Hospital in Minna recently made significant strides in healthcare delivery with the successful completion of its first brain surgery and total knee replacement procedure.
On January 16, 2025, a surgical team led by Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr. Uthman Uthman (MRCSed, FMCS), performed a critical brain surgery on a 19-year-old male patient who suffered severe brain injuries and a skull fracture due to a road traffic accident.
The two-hour procedure was a success, and the patient is currently recovering in the newly remodeled Amenity Wing of the hospital. This accomplishment signals a notable enhancement in the neurosurgical services available at IBB Specialist Hospital.
Dr. Uthman highlighted the importance of this intervention: “Many neurological cases, particularly emergencies, are referred from Niger State to hospitals in Abuja, often too late for effective care.
This includes traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and spinal cord injuries, which can lead to preventable fatalities or complications. The lack of neurocritical care and a dedicated neurological surgeon has historically contributed to high morbidity and mortality rates.”
As a native of Niger State, Dr. Uthman is dedicated to improving local healthcare services. “Having trained as a neurosurgeon both in Nigeria and internationally, I, along with other concerned residents, aspire to contribute to this critical aspect of specialty care in our state, particularly in Minna, and potentially attract medical tourism from neighboring areas.”
Chief Medical Director, Dr. Bala Waziri, echoed the sentiment, asserting that the establishment of neurocritical care facilities in Niger State is within reach, thanks to the commitment of Governor Umar Mohammed Bago, who is focused on enhancing healthcare infrastructure, including the development of a modern Intensive Care Unit and advanced radiologic equipment such as CT and MRI scanners.
Dr. Waziri noted that the progress achieved thus far aligns with the governor’s vision for revolutionizing healthcare delivery in the state.
In addition to the neurosurgery, IBB Specialist Hospital celebrated another landmark achievement on January 13, 2025, by successfully conducting its first total knee replacement surgery after many decades.
A surgical team, led by Orthopedic Surgeons Abdullahi Mohammad and Mustapha Ibrahim, performed the procedure on a 65-year-old woman suffering from bilateral advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. The surgery, which lasted approximately two hours, marked the initial phase of a sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty, and the patient has already commenced ambulation exercises in the hospital’s VIP wing.
These groundbreaking surgeries, along with ongoing expansion and modernization efforts at IBB Specialist Hospital, stem from the resourcefulness and steadfast support of the hospital’s management team under Dr. Waziri’s leadership.
