By Sanee Yarima
Patients who underwent surgery at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, have expressed optimism to recover soon.
They aired their hopes in an interview with Trust Television, the hospital, to see the condition of patients who sustained gunshot injuries at different incidents.
Mrs Joyce Doma, an indigene of the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State, who underwent surgery for the second time, said she was shot in her right leg during a communal crisis over five years ago.
She said the first surgery was carried out in 2024 at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala, Kano State, but she could not recover, hence her referral to the newly established in Jalingo; where she is currently receiving treatment.
Mrs Doma explained that presently she is witnessing a lot of improvement, noting that the financial implications have been reduced as the hospital is now at home.
She commended the Federal Government for establishing the National Orthopaedic Hospital Jalingo in the Northeast and appreciated its services.
Another patient, Buba Ibrahim, an indigene of the Bali Local Government Area of the state, who also sustained a gunshot, said he was shot in his right hand by armed rubbers along the Wukari federal highway five months back.
He said the surgery was carried out three weeks ago, and that he is recuperating, describing the presence of the hospital in the northeastern region, particularly in Taraba State, as a great development and commendable.
However, another patient, Mr Pokeson, who is waiting to undergo surgery, said he was hit by a metal on his left leg and had a fracture, expressing optimism about getting it fixed at the hospital.
Also in an interview, the Medical Director, Prof. Chubado Tahir, said the hospital was established in 2023 by the amendment of the Orthopaedic Hospital Management Act, and it was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said within its two years of operations, they had successfully carried out surgeries on different cases, revealing that they had equipped the hospital with basic modern equipment and engaged the services of experts who specialised in various related fields in addition to the ones they have.
Prof. Chubado Tahir highlighted some of the cases that the hospital handles, including plastic and caustic surgery, bones, joints, spine, skin cancer diseases, fractures, complications of burns, as well as chronic wounds and deformities, among others.
The CMD also urged generous philanthropists and corporate institutions to support the hospital in constructing facilities at its permanent site, which serves the Northeast region.
He expressed gratitude to Governor Agbu Kefas for providing a temporary location at the Taraba State Specialists Hospital in Jalingo, situated just a few meters away from the officially designated permanent site.
