The healthcare in Nigeria has received a boost following a successful “total hip replacement surgery’’ on a 58-year-old patient by the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina.

Muhammad Salihu, an Orthopaedic Consultant and the Head of Orthopaedic Unit in the hospital, told newsmen on Tuesday in Katsina that it was the first and successful hip replacement surgery performed by the centre.

He said that the patient had “’avascular necrosis of the femoral head affecting left heap joint’’.

“The head of the hip joint is completely eroded and that the cartilage has been damaged causing the collapse of a head of the heap joint.

“The patient developed significant pain and inability to perform daily activities,’’ Mr Salihu said.

He explained that the medical team removed the joint completely and replaced it with an artificial one.

“The surgery took us two hours, we thank Allah for the successful operation,’’ he said.

Mr Salihu assured that the centre has the capacity to handle such cases.

The consultant said that the centre is offering highly competitive and affordable cost for the surgery compared to charges made by other health institutions within and outside the country.

“The work can last for more than 25 to 30 years,’’ he said.

He revealed that the problem may be caused by trauma, patients with sickle cell anaemia, TB, joint infections, smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, among others.

On his part, Abba Muhammad, a specialist on e-health management in the centre, said that the hospital has started transferring medical records into the computer system.

He said that patient personal information is treated with utmost confidentiality and protection.