Medical Director, National Orthopaedic Hospital Jos, Professor Icha Inalegwu Onche, addressing newsmen in Jos
National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, has commenced full-scale clinical operations with 736 patients already registered and 150 awaiting surgery marking a major milestone in specialist healthcare delivery across the North Central region.
The Medical Director, Professor Icha Inalegwu Onche, disclosed this during a press briefing in Jos, describing the development as a historic leap for the facility and the people it serves.
He explained that although the hospital is a federal facility, it has benefited immensely from inter-agency and intergovernmental collaboration particularly the Plateau State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
“We currently have 736 registered patients, and about 150 of them are awaiting surgery. It has been a long road to get to where we are today. Honestly, I did not imagine that we would reach this stage so soon. To say that we are now open and ready for service is truly something to thank God for,” he said.
“The last time we were here, the workforce was quite sparse, but now, all departments are fully staffed. Only a few are yet to resume because they had to give due notice at their previous places of work.”
Onche stated that the hospital is now fully equipped to provide a wide range of specialist services, including joint replacement surgeries, trauma and spine care, limb lengthening, reconstructive procedures, physiotherapy, prosthetics, emergency services, and diagnostics.
He described the hospital as “a single-specialty institution focusing on musculoskeletal diseases and plastic surgery — two specialties merged into one. It is a hospital for humanity.”
He expressed gratitude to key supporters, particularly Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, who, according to him, personally financed the construction of the access road and other key infrastructure.
“Although this is a federal institution, he has taken it as a personal project and an investment in the health of our people,” he added.
Also speaking, the Director of Clinical Services, Dr. David Wujika Ngwan, highlighted the breadth of services now active and reaffirmed the hospital’s readiness to handle complex orthopaedic cases.
He said: “With great joy, we are commencing full orthopaedic services not just partial operations. This means we are opening our wards, starting operations in the theatre, and activating our Accident and Emergency Unit.”
“Our mission is to build generations of mobile people who can walk freely without pain. Our team includes highly trained orthopaedic consultants, medical officers, orthopaedic nurses, psychologists, social workers, and rehabilitation experts.”
Dr. Wujika also noted that the hospital is capable of handling paediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, arthroscopy, spinal interventions, and prosthetic fabrication for patients who have lost limbs.
In a goodwill message, the Chief Medical Director of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Dr. Pokop W. Bupwatda, commended Professor Onche’s leadership and pledged continued institutional support.
“With Professor Onche at the helm, I believe this hospital will grow to become the envy of the other six orthopaedic hospitals established across the country. Starting a new institution is never easy, but we are proud of the progress so far, and JUTH will continue to stand by you in this journey of excellence,” he said.
