Experts Call For Stronger Public-Private Partnerships To Tackle Osteoporosis In Nigeria
Stakeholders Advocate Prevention as New Centre Opens
HEALTH experts have called for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector to address the growing burden of osteoporosis in Nigeria, particularly as life expectancy increases.
The call was made during the official commissioning of the Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Health in Ibadan, where stakeholders stressed the need for awareness, early diagnosis and preventive care.
Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Prof. Temitope Alonge, said bone health remains poorly understood despite its vital role in the body.
“People think bone is just the skeleton that gives you structure, but it is one of the most important organs and the biggest store of minerals like calcium,” he said.
Understanding Osteoporosis and Its Risks
Alonge described osteoporosis as a condition in which bone mineral density declines to the extent that minor falls can result in fractures — commonly affecting the wrist, hip and spine.
He explained that bone tissue undergoes continuous remodeling through a delicate balance between bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts). Hormonal interplay, particularly estrogen in women, plays a critical role in maintaining bone strength.
According to him, bone loss accelerates after menopause due to declining estrogen levels.
Citing a study conducted at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Alonge said osteoporosis is rarely seen before age 40 but rises significantly from middle age.
“We studied about 2,040 patients. Before 40, none had osteoporosis. After 45 to 50, we began to see osteopenia, and by 60, full-blown osteoporosis became more common,” he said.
He warned that as Nigerians live longer, the country may face increasing rates of fragility fractures, which can cause spinal collapse, reduced height and disability.
Prevention Better Than Cure
Alonge emphasised that exercise, good nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for building adequate bone stock early in life.
He also highlighted the importance of proper supplementation, noting that calcium must be combined with vitamin D3 for absorption and vitamin K2 to ensure it is deposited into bones rather than forming kidney stones.
“There is treatment for osteoporosis, depending on severity and affordability, but prevention is far cheaper than managing fractures,” he said, citing global figures showing billions of dollars spent annually in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom on osteoporosis-related care.
Call for Wider Insurance Coverage
On affordability, Alonge urged stronger integration between government and private healthcare providers, as well as expanded health insurance coverage.
“Health is both a business and a social service. Government alone cannot solve Nigeria’s health challenges,” he said.
He advocated making bone density screening routine for Nigerians above 60, similar to annual DEXA scans in developed countries.
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described the new centre as a significant step toward improving elderly care.
She said the facility would assess bone mineral density, provide counselling, and offer lifestyle guidance to help older residents remain active and independent.
Stakeholders agreed that with Nigeria’s aging population, sustained investment in prevention, screening and insurance-backed care would be critical to safeguarding bone health nationwide.
