The Medical Director of the newly operational National Orthopaedic Hospital in Jos, Professor Icha Inalegwu Onche, has hailed the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu and the Plateau State Government for their vital roles in bringing the long-anticipated facility to life.
The hospital, which began outpatient services this week, was established by an Act of the National Assembly in July 2021.
Located in Jos, it is designed to serve patients across six North Central states—Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger.
Addressing journalists during the hospital’s official take-off, Prof. Onche described the journey as one marked by overwhelming challenges and unlikely breakthroughs.
“This journey hasn’t been easy. It’s been filled with immense challenges and what once felt like impossibilities,” he said. “But today, I am filled with gratitude to God Almighty who made this day a reality.”
Appointed in 2023, he said he had envisioned May 12, 2025, as a target date and was proud to see it materialize.
He acknowledged Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s role in facilitating key infrastructure that enabled the hospital to commence operations.
“The road leading here, the pavement work, the water supply—all came through the state government. Governor Mutfwang has not only supported this project but shown sincere commitment to healthcare,” he stated.
He also recognised the efforts of Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who championed the bill that led to the hospital’s creation and secured intervention funding that helped kick-start the project.
Despite its formal launch, Prof. Onche was candid about the financial hurdles still confronting the institution. He disclosed that the hospital received ₦400 million to refurbish an abandoned facility left to decay for over a decade.
“The ceilings had caved in, the roofs were gone—we had to rebuild from scratch. But that amount wasn’t enough. We’re still carrying debts and relying on the current budget cycle to plug the gaps,” he said.
With a 2025 capital allocation of ₦600 million, he expressed concern over the limited resources. “If you give me ₦5 billion, I will give you a ₦5 billion hospital. The need is enormous and the potential is boundless, but with ₦600 million, we’re forced to make very hard choices.”
Still, he projected a hopeful outlook, noting that the facility, once fully operational, would significantly reduce the need for medical tourism.
“This hospital is for the region, not just Plateau. And Nigerians will no longer have to go abroad for treatments we are well equipped to handle here,” he emphasized.
