Janet Samuel, Abuja
A bill seeking to establish a Federal Orthopaedic Hospital in Dekina, Kogi East Senatorial District, has passed its second reading in the Senate.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, marks another major step in his legislative efforts to improve healthcare in Kogi East and the state at large.
While presenting the general principles of the bill during plenary on Tuesday, Senator Echocho said the proposed hospital would provide access to specialised orthopaedic healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and health promotion.
He explained that the hospital would operate under the Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board to ensure quality and professional medical services, urging his colleagues to support the bill, stressed that the facility would serve not only Kogi East but also the surrounding communities in the North Central region.
According to Senator Echocho, the proposed location — Kogi East comprises nine local government areas with a population of over two million people, most of whom are farmers. He noted that many residents face bone injuries due to farm-related accidents, road crashes, and other hazards but often rely on traditional bone setters because of the absence of an orthopaedic hospital in the area.
Citing research from the Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma (2024), the Senator said that between 2019 and 2024, over 10,000 farmers in Kogi State suffered farm-related bone injuries, with about 98 percent treated by untrained traditional bone setters. He lamented that this has led to complications such as deformities, amputations, and even deaths.
“The establishment of the Orthopaedic Hospital in Dekina will reduce the number of complications and fatalities caused by traditional bone treatments and provide professional medical care for our people,” he said.
Other lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill, including Senator Anthony Okorie Ani from Ebonyi South, commended Senator Echocho for his foresight and commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, praised Senator Echocho for consistently sponsoring people-oriented bills that address the needs of his constituents.
After a voice vote, the Senate passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the Committee on Tertiary Healthcare for further legislative work. The committee is expected to report back within four weeks.
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