The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, has recorded a major milestone in its first year of clinical operations, successfully performing 154 major surgeries and treating thousands of patients despite facing delays in the release of approved federal budget allocations.
The Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Icha Onche, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing in Jos, where he reviewed the institution’s achievements and highlighted the challenges confronting its operations.
According to Professor Onche, the hospital has attended to 8,502 outpatients since outpatient services commenced on May 20, 2025, while 259 patients have been admitted since full clinical operations began on October 20, 2025.
He said the facility has carried out 159 surgical procedures, including 154 major reconstructive surgeries, as well as specialised procedures such as hip and knee replacement surgeries. In addition, five patients have received major prosthetic fittings.
Professor Onche described the hospital’s progress as remarkable for a relatively young specialist institution, noting that management remains committed to providing quality orthopaedic care through modern medical interventions and highly skilled personnel.
Despite these achievements, the Medical Director identified inadequate funding as the hospital’s greatest challenge, revealing that budgetary allocations approved for the institution in the 2024 and 2025 Federal Government budgets are yet to be released.
He explained that the delay in accessing the approved funds has slowed efforts to expand infrastructure, procure specialised medical equipment and improve service delivery. He added that only two of the hospital’s three operating theatres are currently functional due to resource constraints.
“The hospital has continued to make significant progress, but adequate funding is essential to improve service delivery and strengthen our capacity to provide specialised orthopaedic care,” Professor Onche said.
The Medical Director also disclosed that the hospital generated ₦72 million in internally generated revenue (IGR) in 2025, describing the performance as encouraging despite the institution’s short period of operation.
On staffing, he said the hospital recruited 193 personnel during its first phase of employment and recently employed an additional 93 staff members, emphasizing that all appointments were based strictly on merit.
Professor Onche further highlighted the hospital’s collaboration with the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with vendors for the supply of medical equipment. He also acknowledged the support received from both the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government.
Established in 2023, the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jos, commenced outpatient services in May 2025 before expanding to full clinical operations in October the same year, offering inpatient care, emergency trauma services and specialised treatment for bone, joint and spine-related conditions.
Professor Onche expressed optimism that the hospital would continue to expand its services and improve access to quality orthopaedic care, while appealing to the Federal Government for the prompt release of approved budgetary allocations to enable the institution to fully realize its mandate as a specialist healthcare facility.