Health experts have called for greater public awareness, early prevention, and stronger government-private sector collaboration to tackle the growing burden of osteoporosis in Nigeria, particularly among the elderly.
They made the call during the official commissioning of the Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Health in Ibadan on Thursday.
The Chief Executive Officer of the centre, Prof. Temitope Alonge, emphasized the need for deeper synergy between governments at all levels and organized private-sector health operators to improve access to quality healthcare for the public.
He described osteoporosis as a condition in which bone mineral density decreases to the point that even minor falls can cause fractures—known as fragility fractures—most commonly affecting the wrist, hip, and spine.
Alonge noted that bone health remains poorly understood by the general public, despite bones being one of the body’s most vital organs.
“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 body’s largest store of key minerals, particularly calcium,” he stated.
He explained that bone formation and breakdown occur continuously through a process called remodeling, driven by a delicate balance between bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts).
According to him, hormonal interplay determines how much bone is formed and how much is removed.
“If bones were formed alone without resorption, everybody would be monsters,” he remarked.
Resorption is the normal biological process in which specialized cells, mostly osteoclasts, break down and absorb bone tissue as part of remodeling.
Alonge added that women generally have stronger bones during their reproductive years due to the protective role of oestrogen, but “bone loss accelerates after menopause when oestrogen levels fall.”
Citing a study conducted at University College Hospital, Ibadan, he said osteoporosis is rarely seen before age 40.
“But its prevalence increases significantly from middle age. We studied about 2,040 patients and found that before the age of 40, no patient had osteoporosis. After 45 to 50, we started seeing osteopenia, and by age 60, we began to see full-blown osteoporosis,” he said.
He further explained that osteoporosis leads to fragility fractures, which is why someone who was six feet tall in youth may appear to shrink in old age. “The spine collapses gradually, leading to wedge fractures and sometimes a hunchback.”
Alonge stressed that exercise, good nutrition, and early lifestyle habits are crucial for building adequate bone stock before old age.
“The reason people go to the gym and exercise is not because they have nothing to do. They are trying to maintain reasonable bone stock so that when they get older, they are protected.”
He warned that Nigeria is likely to face a growing osteoporosis burden as life expectancy improves.
“In the past, life expectancy was low, so osteoporosis was not a major public health issue. But now people are living longer, and the risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures is much higher,” he added.
He referenced global figures showing that countries like the United States and the United Kingdom spend billions of dollars annually managing osteoporosis-related complications.
“About 20 years ago, the U.S. was spending around $18 billion annually on osteoporosis. By now, it is probably $20 to $30 billion. That is why prevention is better than cure,” he said.
According to Alonge, the Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Health was established to focus on education, early diagnosis, and individualized treatment.
“There is treatment for osteoporosis, and it depends on the severity and what the patient can afford. Some medications are taken orally, some weekly or monthly, some by injection, and some intravenously,” he noted.
He added that nutritional management is central to treatment, stressing the importance of calcium supplements that are properly absorbed into the bones.
“There is no point taking calcium that will not be absorbed. The calcium must be combined with vitamin D3 for absorption and vitamin K2 to transport it into the bone. Otherwise, it may be wasted or end up as kidney stones,” he said.
On access and affordability, he called for stronger partnerships between government and the private sector, as well as wider health insurance coverage.
“Health is both a business and a social service. No amount of money released by 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.
“Why can’t someone say, in my village I have 50 elderly people and I want to help 10 of them get screened? That is a better relationship with the people than flamboyant spending,” he said.
Alonge further advocated making bone density screening routine for older Nigerians.
“Outside this country, it is almost mandatory for anyone above 60 or 65 to have a DEXA scan every year—not just because they love the people, but because the cost of fractures is enormous,” he said.
Earlier, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, described the centre as a major step toward improving the quality of life for elderly residents.
“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 said.
Ajetunmobi explained that the facility is equipped to assess bone mineral density and determine the level of bone loss in patients, enabling appropriate support to keep bones strong.
She added that the centre would also provide counseling, lifestyle guidance, and nutritional advice to help older people age more gracefully.
“We will all grow old one day. Aging gracefully means not breaking hips, not becoming completely dependent, and being able to stay active for as long as possible.”
She said the Oyo State Government is exploring ways to collaborate with the centre to improve access, especially for elderly residents.
Health stakeholders at the event, in their separate remarks, agreed that with Nigeria’s aging population, sustained investment in bone health, prevention, and insurance-backed care will be critical to achieving broader universal health coverage.
