A bill to establish Orthopaedic hospital in Dekina in Kogi East Senatorial District has passed second reading in the Senate on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone of legislative activities of Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho representing the district.
In the general principles of the bill, Senator Isah said, the establishment of the medical facility would facilitate access to “orthopaedic health care services, provide facilities for diagnosis, curative, promotive and rehabilitative services in orthopaedic treatment.”
The lawmaker, in his lead debate, highlighted that the proposed orthopaedic hospital would be placed under the control of the Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board to provide specialized orthopaedic treatment and related medical services.
He called for the support of Senators and expeditious legislative treatment of the bill given its strategic importance to the people of the District and beyond especially that the bill was first read in the hallowed chamber on 13th of February, 2025.
He said: “Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, Kogi East Senatorial District where the hospital is proposed to be sited, comprises nine (9) Local Government Areas: Ankpa, Basa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Ofu, Olamaboro, and Omala, with a population of over 2,000,000.
“Kogi East Senatorial District, like others in the North Central geopolitical zone, is primarily an agrarian economy.
“The nature of the occupation of the people entails orthopaedic hazards, especially as it relates to palm fruits harvests, forestry, and similar activities.
“Research published in Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma (2024), reported that between 2019 and 2024, not less than 10,000 farmers in Kogi State were involved in farm-related hazards, leading to severe bone crises with 98% being treated by traditional bone setters
“Apart from farm hazards, there is an increasing incidence of road traffic accidents and gunshot wounds, with concomitant major vascular and bony damage in the State. Unfortunately, many of the victims do not have access to orthopaedic hospitals, and are forced to embrace the services of traditional bone healers or setters.”
The lawmaker lamented that the non-existent of such strategic facility in the zone has given credence to the local ‘bonesetters’ which unfortunately led to rise in casualties, but establishing the orthopaedic facility would assist in professional treatment of bone related ailments.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the need for the establishment of the Orthopaedic Hospital Dekina, is amplified by the challenges and complications associated with traditional bone setting.
“Traditional bonesetters’ lack of knowledge of anatomy, physiology, or radiography has brought about limb and life-threatening complications.
“Known extreme complications associated with traditional bone setting include acute compartment syndrome, tetanus, deformities, chronic osteomyelitis, gangrene, amputation, and death.
“Other complications include mal-union and non-union of fractures, soft tissue infections, chronic unreduced joint dislocations, joint stiffness and ankylosis, septic arthritis, pressures sores and blisters, iatrogenic fractures and other injuries, leaving most affected patients who are young and in their productive years disabled at a very young age.”
Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Anthony Okorie Ani in his contribution commended Kogi Senator for his foresight on the bill stressing that orthopaedic hospital would be of immense benefit to the people of the zone and the adjoining states.
He said, the research carried out by the sponsor of the bill, Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho has revealed an alarming rate of bone diseases, adding that the nearby orthopaedic hospital was that of Enugu which has been existing for ages.
He urged his colleagues to support the bill for it to be passed for the next stage so that it could see the light of the day.
In his remark, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau commended the sponsor of the bill, saying that “he always sponsor bills that improves the welfare of his constituents”.
After putting the bill to voice vote, it was passed and referred to Senate Committee on Tertiary Healthcare to be reverted in four weeks
