BY PETER DURU

MAKURDI — Following the recent disclosure by the Benue State Commissioner for Health Dr. Oduen Abunku that over 600,000 persons were currently living with the dreaded HIV/AIDS in the state, the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Dr Mathias Oyigeya has canvassed the conversion of the present site of the hospital to an infectious disease control centre.

Dr. Oyigeya who stated this yesterday while fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi lamented that Benue State was currently burdened by the high prevelence of diseases like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other oppotunistic infections

According to him, “Benue is currently facing the challenge of the burden of HIV/AIDS and other opportunistic affection and I strongly advocate that when we eventually move to our permanent site at Apir, a disease control centre should be established here to effectively stem the tide”.

He said the disease burden was obviously taking its toll on the farming populace of the state but added that the scourge could be effectively controlled when the centre is established in the state.

The Medical Director stressed that the Centre was at the present recording a traffic of about 15,000 patients every month because of the efficiency of services at the hospital and quality of medical services being rendered to patients.