Health experts have called for routine scoliosis screening in Nigerian schools, stressing that early detection is critical to preventing severe spinal deformities and improving treatment outcomes among children and adolescents.
The experts made the appeal during a health awareness programme focused on spinal health, where they highlighted the growing need for regular examinations in schools to identify cases before they progress.
Scoliosis is a condition characterised by an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, often developing during periods of rapid growth in childhood and adolescence. Medical professionals warned that many cases go unnoticed until the condition becomes severe, leading to pain, posture problems, breathing difficulties, and reduced quality of life.
According to the specialists, routine screening programmes would enable healthcare providers to detect the condition early and offer timely interventions, including observation, physiotherapy, bracing, or surgery where necessary.
“Early diagnosis is the key to preventing serious complications. Many children with scoliosis can be effectively managed when the condition is identified at an early stage,” one of the experts said.
They urged federal and state governments to incorporate scoliosis checks into existing school health programmes, noting that awareness among parents, teachers, and healthcare workers remains low.
The experts also called for increased public education campaigns to help families recognise warning signs such as uneven shoulders, an asymmetrical waistline, or a visibly curved spine.
They maintained that investing in preventive screening would reduce the long-term health and financial burden associated with advanced spinal deformities, while ensuring affected children receive appropriate care and support.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns about the need to strengthen school-based health services and improve access to early diagnostic interventions for children across Nigeria.
