National Orthopedic Hospital in Jos
By CHRISTIANA LOT, Jos –
The Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, Professor Icha Inalegwu Onche, has commended the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government for their critical support, which enabled the long-awaited take-off of the specialised medical facility serving the North Central region.
The hospital, signed into law in July 2021 and located in Jos, Plateau State, has officially commenced outpatient services and is designated to serve six states—Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger.
“This journey hasn’t been easy. it’s been filled with immense challenges and what once felt like impossibilities,” Prof. Onche told journalists. “But today, I am filled with gratitude to God Almighty who made this day a reality. When I was appointed in 2023, I knew May 12, 2025, would come. And standing here today, I see not just a hospital, but the fulfilment of a shared dream that was almost forgotten.”
He praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang for laying the groundwork that made the hospital’s take-off possible. “Beyond being a personal friend, Governor Mutfwang has been a tremendous pillar of support. The road you drove in on was done by the state government. The ongoing pavement work, the water supply all came through his facilitation. He has promised to do even more. That’s how committed he is to healthcare—not for politics, but out of sincerity,” he said.
Commendations also went to former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, for initiating the hospital’s establishment, and to federal health officials for their support.
“Rt. Hon. Wase began this journey. He pushed the bill, got it passed and signed, and he never walked away. His intervention fund helped us take the first steps. We are here today because people believed and acted,” he stated.
However, Prof. Onche was frank about the financial constraints. “We received ₦400 million to renovate what had been abandoned for 14 years—ceilings collapsed, roofs gone. We had to redesign and rebuild everything. But the money wasn’t enough. We’re still owing and relying on this year’s budget to cover the deficit,” he explained.
He described the hospital’s 2025 capital budget of ₦600 million as grossly inadequate. “If you give me ₦5 billion, I will give you a ₦5 billion hospital. There is no limit to what we can build here, because the need is huge and the vision is clear. But with ₦600 million, we are forced to make very hard choices,” he said.
Despite these challenges, he expressed strong optimism: “Yes, the financial terrain is tough. But we’ve been prudent, and we’ve been intentional. This hospital is not just for Plateau it’s for the entire region. And once fully operational, I can assure you that Nigerians will no longer need to travel abroad for treatments we are perfectly capable of offering here.”
