Post-surgery deaths partnership between UNILAG and Birmingham aims to improve patient safety, research and surgical outcomes in Nigerian hospitals

Surgical experts from the University of Lagos and the University of Birmingham have strengthened a long-standing partnership aimed at reducing post-surgery deaths through improved clinical practice, research and capacity building in Nigerian hospitals.

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The initiative, led under the National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery, seeks to address preventable complications linked to post-operative care while improving patient safety and quality of care.

Experts noted that mortality after surgical procedures remains a critical yet under-addressed challenge globally.

A report by The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery estimates that 313 million surgical operations take place worldwide each year, with at least 4.2 million people dying within 30 days of surgery.

Half of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement at the University of Lagos, the Provost and Vice-Principal of the University of Birmingham, Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, said the collaboration is now focusing on reducing the burden of postoperative deaths after a decade of strategic partnership.

Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams said the programme is designed to provide practical solutions that make surgical environments safer by combining local expertise with international best practices.

The Director of the NIHR Global Surgery Unit Nigeria hub and Professor of Surgery at UNILAG, Professor Adesoji Ademuyiwa, said the collaboration spans 37 centres, including teaching, state and district hospitals, as well as private facilities engaged in high-quality research and service delivery.

Professor Adesoji Ademuyiwa cited the CHEETAH study as a notable outcome of the partnership, showing that changing gloves and instruments during surgery significantly reduces surgical site infections.

Co-Director of the NIHR Global Surgery Unit Nigeria, Professor Dion Morton, said findings from the research network are already influencing clinical practice across continents, benefiting patients in Nigeria, West Africa and the United Kingdom.

Professor Dion Morton added that the partnership has also strengthened knowledge sharing and research skills among current and future clinicians, with medical students across five Nigerian universities actively participating in surgical research.

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Dignitaries at the event included the Head of Surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Professor Andrew Ugburo; the Dean of Clinical Sciences, Professor Olufemi Fasanmade; the Director of International Relations, Professor Ismail Ibraheem; the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, represented by Professor Ayodeji Oluwole; and Dr Karim Shoretire from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.