Alia targets revival of Benue General Hospitals as Health Commissioner begins statewide needs assessment

By Benedicta Aboh

The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, has begun a high-level statewide tour of general hospitals to assess their needs as part of the Governor Hyacinth Alia administration’s plan to rehabilitate, upgrade and reposition all secondary healthcare facilities in the state.

The exercise commenced on Friday at the General Hospital, North Bank, Makurdi, and continued over the weekend with visits to General Hospitals in Aliade (Gwer West Local Government Area), Idekpa (Ohimini Local Government Area), Otukpa (Ogbadibo Local Government Area) and Oju (Oju Local Government Area).

Dr. Ogwuche led a delegation that included a representative of Project C.U.R.E., USA, Mrs. Kerry Jeffords; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Beatrice Tsavmbu; the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Health Management Board, Dr. Matthew Onoja; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Fidelis Unongo.

Speaking during the visits, the Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Alia to strengthening secondary healthcare delivery across the state.

“Healthcare delivery remains a core pillar of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s people-centred governance agenda. This administration is fully committed to the systematic rehabilitation and strengthening of our general hospitals,” Dr. Ogwuche said.

He recalled that in 2025, the Governor facilitated the donation of 10 containers of assorted high-tech medical equipment valued at several billions of naira through Project C.U.R.E., USA, stressing that the ongoing needs assessment is crucial to the effective utilisation of the equipment.

“This needs assessment is critical to ensure that the donated medical equipment is deployed transparently, efficiently and equitably, based strictly on clearly identified needs of each facility,” he explained.

According to the Commissioner, the tour has provided first-hand insights into infrastructural decay, equipment shortages and service delivery challenges facing secondary healthcare facilities in the state.

“The assessment has helped us identify gaps in infrastructure and equipment, as well as challenges in service delivery. These findings will guide targeted, evidence-based interventions,” he added.

Dr. Ogwuche commended Governor Alia for prioritising the health and wellbeing of Benue people, describing the ongoing health sector reforms as “deliberate, people-focused and results-oriented.”

He also urged healthcare workers to complement government investments by demonstrating professionalism, accountability and dedication to duty.

“Improvement in infrastructure must go hand in hand with improvement in service delivery and patient care. Our healthcare workers have a critical role to play in this transformation,” he said.

The Commissioner noted that the statewide hospital needs assessment underscores the Alia administration’s determination to rebuild public healthcare infrastructure, restore public confidence in government-owned health facilities and ensure they deliver quality services to the people.

He added that under Governor Alia’s leadership, the state government is “moving decisively from assessment to action, translating policy direction into measurable outcomes and accelerating the transformation of secondary healthcare facilities across Benue State.”