150 patients await surgery as Jos orthopaedic hospital resumes full operations

The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, has officially commenced full orthopaedic services, marking a significant milestone in healthcare delivery for the North Central Zone of Nigeria.

Icha Inalegwu Onche, the medical director of the hospital, announced during a press briefing held on Wednesday in Jos.

Onche described the journey as challenging but rewarding, noting key milestones such as the hospital’s establishment law signed in July 2021, his appointment in 2023, and eventual confirmation as substantive Medical Director in November 2024.

He commended the support from the Federal Government, Plateau State Government, and stakeholders who made the project a reality.

“We currently have 736 registered patients, and about 150 of them are awaiting surgery,” Onche revealed.

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He emphasised the hospital’s readiness to provide specialised musculoskeletal and plastic surgery services, adding that all clinical departments are now fully staffed and operational.

He expressed optimism that the facility would not only treat patients but also serve as a training and research hub for future orthopaedic specialists.

David Wujika Ngwan, director of clinical outlined the range of services available, including outpatient care, trauma management, joint replacement, paediatric orthopaedics, sports medicine, spine surgery, and prosthetics.

“This marks a new chapter in our commitment to restoring mobility and improving quality of life,” he said.

In his address, Pokop Bupwatda, chief medical director of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), commended Onche’s leadership and pledged continued collaboration.

He said the hospital was poised to become a national model, noting that Jos had earned a reputation for excellence in healthcare and training.

BusinessDay reports that the hospital, which serves Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, and the FCT, now stands as the only regional orthopaedic centre in the zone.