By Asile Abel Jos
In an efforts to provide more affordable healthcare services for Nigerians, the National Orthopaedic hospital have put in modalities for the commencement of services in Jos the Plateau State capital soon.
reports has it that the Orthopaedic hospital which is a regional hospital covering Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara and Niger States came into lanelight sometimes in 2023, will now be focusing attention on outpatient services as the hospital continue to set up.
Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Icha Onche lament they are still operating within the constraint of limited budget, stating that they only had N600 million allocation from the 2025 budget-“and that can’t even buy two major equipment.”
We have the capacity to perform hip replacements, shoulder and knee replacements, and fix any fracture
Prof onche said:”We have the capacity to perform hip replacements, shoulder and knee replacements, and fix any fracture. That is our core mandate. And by the grace of God, when we are fully operational, nobody should need to travel abroad and fund treatment themselves—we can do it all here.”
The MD revealed affordability in respect to Orthopaedic services for Nigerians is a big challenge, noting they a national insurance system, which is currently being reassessed and reevaluated.
“We hope that more coverage will be introduced so it can help cover some of the costs.As things stand, our bills will be as competitive as those of JUTH and other hospitals around us. We must generate revenue, and that funding has to come from within. Sadly, most of our patients still pay out of pocket.
Among the senior cadre, Plateau State accounts for 51.8% of the workforce
“I believe the National Health Insurance Agency needs to address this issue seriously and work to include more people under the scheme, so insurances can cover these treatments.
“In other countries, procedures like hip and joint replacements are funded through insurance. I believe we can do the same. It’s just a matter of reviewing our policies on the health insurance system.For now, most of our patients pay out of pocket.
Right now, we have a waiver to employ 203 staff in our first instance
And I can assure you, the cost is competitive compared to other hospitals. But let me be honest—orthopedic care is extremely expensive. For instance, a hip replacement costs about ₦3.2 million. A shoulder replacement is around ₦7 million. A knee replacement, about ₦3 million. Even the most basic fracture care starts at around ₦300,000 and goes up from there.Yes, it’s super expensive—but we have to start somewhere”, he mentioned.
Professor Onche further lay emphasis on the strength of workforce especially staff recruitment as the hospital currently employed about 203 staff.
“Right now, we have a waiver to employ 203 staff in our first instance. We made the process objective by putting out adverts—this is a huge area with a large unemployed labor force. We advertised in Leadership and The Punch newspapers for six weeks, then closed the application process.We carried out a selection process with input from the Federal Ministry of Health, Head of Service, Federal Character Commission, and ourselves.
We have 134 senior staff and 65 junior staff positions. I’m proud to say we’ve been very equitable
“There were two stages of exams: the primary aptitude test, followed by a professional test. After that, we held a proper interview to evaluate certificates. We’ve since completed that phase. The only sticking point right now is the Federal Character Commission. They’re the ones to issue us the final approval letter so we can issue our employment letters. I’m still waiting for that.
“We have 134 senior staff and 65 junior staff positions. I’m proud to say we’ve been very equitable. Every state is represented. Naturally, Plateau State has the highest representation—not because we chose it, but because more people from here applied. Among the senior cadre, Plateau State accounts for 51.8% of the workforce.”
Appreciating Federal and Plateau State governments for their tremendous support, the MD also appeal for more intervention to enhance expansion of services at the hospital.
