By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has launched a comprehensive assessment of its general hospitals as part of renewed efforts by the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia to rehabilitate and upgrade secondary healthcare facilities across the state.

Leading the exercise, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, began the tour at the General Hospital, North Bank, Makurdi, before extending the visits to facilities in Aliade (Gwer West Local Government Area), Idekpa (Ohimini Local Government Area), Otukpa (Ogbadibo Local Government Area) and Oju (Oju Local Government Area).

Addressing stakeholders during the visits, Dr. Ogwuche said the tour was a clear demonstration of Governor Alia’s resolve to reposition the state’s health sector and improve access to quality healthcare for Benue residents.

“Governor Hyacinth Alia has made healthcare a priority. Our goal is to strengthen secondary healthcare facilities and ensure that our general hospitals can effectively meet the needs of our people,” the Commissioner said.

He disclosed that the assessment became more critical following the donation of 10 containers of high-tech medical equipment facilitated by the Governor in 2025 through Project C.U.R.E., USA.

“We must deploy these equipments based on actual needs. This exercise will ensure transparency, efficiency and fairness in the distribution of the donated medical resources,” Dr. Ogwuche noted.

According to him, the visits exposed critical infrastructural and equipment gaps, as well as operational challenges affecting service delivery in the hospitals inspected.

“What we are seeing on the ground will guide our interventions. The administration is determined to adopt evidence-based solutions that will produce measurable improvements in healthcare delivery,” he said.

The Commissioner praised Governor Alia for what he described as a deliberate and people-oriented approach to health sector reforms, adding that the administration was focused on restoring public confidence in government-owned health facilities.
He also charged healthcare workers across the state to key into the reforms by upholding professional standards and accountability.

“No amount of investment will yield results without the right attitude to work. Improved facilities must translate into better care for patients,” Dr. Ogwuche stressed.

He emphasized that the statewide needs assessment marked a transition from planning to implementation, assuring that the Benue State Government was committed to fast-tracking the transformation of secondary healthcare facilities in line with its broader health sector renewal agenda.

The assessment team comprised representatives of Project C.U.R.E., USA, led by 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.