Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has again reiterated his administration’s commitment in the transformation of Benue State and assured that the state would become a major destination for medical tourism in Nigeria, with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) at the centre of that vision.
Addressing participants at the end of the Second International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition held at BSUTH in Makurdi, Governor Alia expressed confidence that the Teaching Hospital would serve not just the Benue community but also the neighbouring states and Nigeria at large
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) Barrister Serumun Aber, the Governor said that the summit be institutionalized as an annual event to sustain the exchange of ideas and innovations in the state’s health sector.
According to the Governor, the theme of the summit, “Exploring Medical Tourism Potentials at Benue State University Teaching Hospital: Prospects and Challenges,” was in line with his administration’s efforts to transform the challenges in the sector into opportunities, recalling that the maiden edition of the summit, held in July last year necessitated the establishment of an endowment fund for a cancer centre adding that work was already ongoing on the ₦14 billion Senator Remi Tinubu Ultra-Modern Cancer Centre, which would serve as a beacon of hope to thousands of families.
Speaking further the governor, who lamented the huge loss Nigeria suffers annually through medical tourism abroad, attributed it to neglect, poor infrastructure, and underfunding but emphasized that his administration has taken deliberate steps to change the narrative by prioritizing health in the 2025 budget and introducing policies capable of strengthening the health system in the state.
Alia informed, that over 500 healthcare professionals have been employed at BSUTH to improve service delivery, while workers’ welfare has been enhanced through the implementation of the 2023 salary structure and payment of death benefits to families of deceased staff.
The administration, the governor continued has also awarded a 230,000-litre daily capacity water project, renovated the Radiology Department, procured new diagnostic machines, and released ₦13 billion for additional modern medical equipment to make the hospital a leading referral centre in the country.
While expressing confidence that with such investments, patients would no longer need to travel outside the state or country for quality medical care, Alia also urged all stakeholders to collaborate in building a system capable of benefiting the future generations.
The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse, in his comment appreciated the Governor as well as the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Stephen Hwande, for their visionary leadership in repositioning BSUTH and rated the hospital among the best in Nigeria in terms of diagnostic capacity and quality healthcare delivery and urged Benue people to protect the progress made and give young professionals the opportunity to contribute to the state’s development.
In his remarks the Chairman of the occasion, Senator Barnabas Gemade described the hospital’s turnaround as a clear demonstration of how strong leadership could restore confidence in the health sector.
While commenting the Board Chairman of BSUTH, Professor Orkurga Malu lauded Governor Alia for providing modern facilities that would attract patients from across the country and appealed to citizens to support the government’s drive to sustain the gains achieved so far.
Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, in his remarks said the state’s healthcare system has evolved from a service-driven sector into an economic asset and attributed it to the strategic investments made under the Alia led administration.
Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Hwande, while welcoming the people explained that the summit provided an opportunity to assess progress since the previous edition, identify gaps, and propose new strategies for improving research, medical practice, and infrastructure.
The organising committee Chairman, Professor Michael Agbir, appreciated the participants and announced the launch of a ₦2 billion appeal fund for the acquisition of advanced equipment and expansion of the therapeutic centre for children with special needs.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Simon Terver Ubwa among other speakers, applauded BSUTH’s transformation and described it as a model for modern global medical practice and investment in Nigeria.
Deserving individuals were given awards for their various contributions to the growth and modernization of the teaching hospital even as the two-day summit featured scientific exhibitions, panel discussions, and the presentations.
