AO Alliance faculty contribute to 19th AOLF Congress in Togo

The AO Alliance supported the participation of 15 faculty members at the 19th Congress of the Association des Orthopédistes de Langue Française (AOLF), held in Lomé, Togo from June 24 to 26, 2026. Organized in partnership with the Société Togolaise de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, the congress brought together 400 trauma and orthopedic surgeons from French-speaking Africa.

Throughout the three-day meeting, AO Alliance faculty contributed to the scientific program through presentations, case discussions, and practical workshops on the management of fractures and other orthopedic conditions. The congress provided a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, discuss clinical challenges, and share experiences from different healthcare settings.

The AO Alliance also organized a roundtable discussion examining the role of traditional bonesetters and their impact on public health. The session brought together Christophe Da (Burkina Faso), Grégoire Anani Abalo (pictured above, Togo), Gamal Ayouba (Togo), Didier Ekouévi (Togo), Seydine Il Seye (Senegal), and Patrick Dakouré (Burkina Faso), who explored the challenges associated with traditional bone-setting practices and discussed approaches to improving access to safe, timely fracture care.

Traditional bonesetters are an important source of care in many countries in Africa, particularly where access to formal healthcare services is limited. The panel highlighted the importance of strengthening trauma systems, expanding education for healthcare professionals, and fostering dialogue with communities to improve patient outcomes.

By supporting faculty participation and contributions to the scientific programs of events similar to the AOLF, the AO Alliance strengthens fracture care education and promotes collaboration.