Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexis Dun Bo-ib Buunaaim | Trauma Orthopaedics | Best Use of Data in Healthcare Award

Associate Professor in Trauma Orthopaedic Surgery at University for Development Stuides/Tamale Teaching Hospital Ghana

Alexis Dun Bo-Ib Buunaaim is a distinguished academic and clinical professional in the field of orthopaedic surgery with a strong commitment to trauma care, surgical education, and research. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine, University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana. With a career that spans over a decade in academic medicine and clinical practice, he has significantly contributed to improving trauma and orthopaedic care in Ghana and the wider sub-Saharan African region. He is particularly noted for his work on surgical site infections, paediatric trauma, and the integration of traditional bonesetters into formal healthcare frameworks.

Profile

Orcid

Education

His academic journey began with a BSc. in Human Biology and continued with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. He later earned a Master in Health Professions Education (MHPE) through a joint program between Maastricht University in the Netherlands and Suez-Canal University, Egypt. Dr. Buunaaim further specialized in orthopaedic surgery, earning a Master of Medicine (M.Med) and a Certificate in Applied Clinical Research from Makerere University, Uganda. He is a Fellow of both the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa, underscoring his cross-regional professional credibility.

Experience

Dr. Buunaaim’s professional career is deeply rooted in academia and clinical leadership. At UDS, he has progressed through the ranks from Assistant Lecturer in 2008 to his current role as Associate Professor since 2022. He has served in multiple capacities including Head of the Trauma Orthopaedic Unit and Head of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. His clinical leadership also extends to national and international initiatives, including being a Clinical Site Coordinator for a national trauma registry and working with AO Alliance-supported projects. Additionally, he has mentored over 30 undergraduate and postgraduate students in clinical and academic research.

Research Interest

His research interests lie primarily in trauma and orthopaedic surgery, with a strong focus on surgical site infections, fracture epidemiology, road traffic injuries, and healthcare systems strengthening in low-resource settings. He has led and collaborated on several multicenter studies, including those funded by the AO Foundation and other international bodies. His studies have addressed practical challenges such as reducing amputations in children due to unsafe traditional practices and improving surgical outcomes through evidence-based interventions. Dr. Buunaaim is also actively involved in health systems research, including equitable access to trauma care and health expenditure analysis.

Award

In recognition of his impactful work, Dr. Buunaaim has received several honors and awards, most notably from the AO Foundation and SICOT. He received training grants to attend advanced courses in fracture management and spine surgery in Dubai and Egypt. His outstanding efforts were acknowledged through a citation from the Paediatric Fracture Solutions of Ghana in 2020. These accolades underscore his role as a leader in advancing surgical education and practice in West Africa.

Publication

Dr. Buunaaim’s research is widely published in high-impact international journals. Notable among his recent works are:

1. Short-term incidence and risk factors of surgical site infection following trauma orthopaedic surgery in Northern Ghana (2025, International Wound Journal, cited by 12 articles).

2. Equitable access to quality trauma systems in Ghana: a qualitative study (2025, BMJ Open, cited by 9 articles).

3. Preoperative Hemoglobin Level Predicts Surgical Site Infections in Trauma Orthopedic Surgery (2025, Journal of Tropical Medicine, cited by 6 articles).

4. Evaluating catastrophic health expenditures among patients with long bone fractures in Ghana (2025, BMC Health Services Research, cited by 4 articles).

5. Rising Cases of Motorcycle Wheel Spokes Injuries in a Tertiary Facility in Northern Ghana (2024, Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports, cited by 5 articles).

6. Epidemiology of Polytrauma at a Teaching Hospital in Northern Ghana (2024, International Journal of Clinical Practice, cited by 3 articles).

7. Orthopedic postoperative infection profile across 24 countries (2024, Journal of Orthopaedics, cited by 7 articles).

Conclusion

Dr. Alexis Dun Bo-Ib Buunaaim stands out as a leading figure in the landscape of trauma orthopaedics in West Africa. Through his multifaceted roles in education, research, and clinical practice, he continues to shape policy, mentor young professionals, and contribute to global orthopaedic discourse. His scholarly publications and international collaborations reflect a career dedicated to improving surgical outcomes and health equity in resource-limited settings.