The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, has begun full-scale clinical operations with 736 patients already registered and 150 of them awaiting surgery, marking a major milestone in the delivery of specialist healthcare across the North Central region.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Icha Inalegwu Onche, disclosed this during a press briefing in Jos, where he described the development as a historic leap for the facility and the people it serves.
“We currently have 736 registered patients, and about 150 of them are awaiting surgery,” Onche said. “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 explained that the institution, though a federal hospital, has benefited from strong inter-agency and intergovernmental support — including the Plateau State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
“The last time we were here, the workforce was quite sparse, but now, all departments are fully staffed,” he said. “Only a few are yet to resume because they had to give due notice at their previous places of work.”
Onche said the hospital is 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.
“The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, is essentially a single-specialty hospital focusing on musculoskeletal diseases and plastic surgery — two specialties merged into one. It is a hospital for humanity,” he added.
He acknowledged key supporters, particularly Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, whom he said personally financed the construction of the access road and other infrastructure despite the hospital being a federal institution.
“Although this is a federal institution, he has taken it as a personal project and an investment in the health of our people,” he said.
The Director of Clinical Services, Dr. David Ngwan Wujika, highlighted the scope of services now active at the facility and reaffirmed the hospital’s readiness to handle complex orthopaedic cases.
“With great joy, we are commencing full orthopaedic services—not just partial operations,” he said. “This means we are opening our wards, starting operations in the theatre, and activating our Accident and Emergency Unit.”
He said the hospital’s mission is to build “generations of mobile people who can walk freely without pain,” in line with its vision to deliver excellent and sustainable clinical services in trauma and musculoskeletal care.
Dr. Wujika also noted that the hospital is equipped to handle paediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, arthroscopy, spinal interventions, and prosthetic fabrication for patients who have lost limbs.
“We want everyone to walk on their own feet,” he said. “Our team includes highly trained orthopaedic consultants, medical officers, orthopaedic nurses, psychologists, social workers, and rehabilitation experts.”
In a goodwill message, the Chief Medical Director of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Dr. Pokop W. Bupwatda, commended the leadership of Prof. Onche and pledged continued institutional support for the orthopaedic facility.
“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,” Bupwatda said. “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.”
