Professional Journey and Expertise in Reproductive Health
Professional Journey and Expertise in Reproductive Health
Murphy Ajibade Alabi
I began my training in reproductive health in Ireland in 2002 after earning my medical degree from the University of Lagos in 1996. Before moving to Ireland, I worked as a medical officer with the Lagos State Government, gaining foundational experience in clinical care. My move to Ireland after the events of 9/11 marked a new chapter in my career, aligning with a structured pathway for junior doctors to gain valuable experience as non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHD), encompassing roles as Senior House Officers and Registrars under the mentorship of seasoned consultants.
Specialist Training and Qualifications
During my early career as a Senior House Officer and later as a Registrar in obstetrics and gynecology, I received extensive hands-on training under the guidance of Irish consultants. My commitment to the field was demonstrated by successfully passing the specialty exams of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in the United Kingdom, a milestone that opened the path to specialist training. I was subsequently selected for Ireland’s highly competitive Higher Specialist Training Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a program that admits only a few candidates each year. Through this rigorous training, I attained the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) and completed a fellowship in Human Reproduction and Assisted Conception.
Scope of Practice
As a specialist obstetrician and gynecologist, I provide comprehensive care across a woman’s reproductive lifespan—from conception to post-reproductive years. My expertise encompasses:
• Fertility and Reproductive Technology: Guiding patients through ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture to blastocyst stage, and embryo transfer for pregnancy.
• General Gynecology: Managing menstrual disorders, treating pre-invasive reproductive tract diseases, and performing surgeries for pelvic tumors, with a particular focus on benign conditions.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery: Applying less invasive techniques, especially in managing conditions like fibroids, a practice gaining traction in select centers in Lagos and Abuja.
• Obstetrics: Offering care from early pregnancy through the postpartum period, covering prepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care.
Current Challenges and Advancements in Nigerian Healthcare
In Nigeria, while some advancements are being made, such as the adoption of minimally invasive surgery in Lagos and Abuja, traditional open surgical approaches remain prevalent, especially for conditions like fibroids or uterine tumors. For example, ectopic pregnancies are often managed surgically rather than through medical treatment or laparoscopic removal. Enhancing skills in these less invasive methods is critical to reducing surgical risks and improving patient outcomes.
Another pressing challenge is the lack of robust data management and record-keeping in Nigerian healthcare. Unlike many international institutions, most teaching hospitals and federal medical centers do not publish annual reports, leading to a gap in reliable data on deliveries, maternal morbidity, and mortality. Establishing a standardized, transparent system for data collection and publication would allow healthcare providers to evaluate outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and benchmark against global standards.
Vision for the Future
Improving transparency, adopting minimally invasive surgical techniques, and implementing data-driven practices could significantly elevate healthcare standards in Nigeria. With better data, we can set measurable goals, align more closely with international best practices, and ultimately improve the quality of care for women across the country.
