By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue state government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have strengthened collaboration aimed at improving reproductive healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations affected by emergencies and displacement across the state.

The renewed partnership was the focus of a strategic meeting held at the office of the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, at the State Civil Service Secretariat in Makurdi.

The meeting, attended by a UNFPA delegation led by Senior Programme Specialist for Reproductive Health and Humanitarian Response, Chris Macaulay, centered on improving coordination, capacity building, and emergency reproductive healthcare delivery in Benue State.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Ogwuche said the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia remains committed to transforming the healthcare sector and ensuring that vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, have access to quality healthcare services.

“The Benue State Government is determined to strengthen healthcare systems, reduce maternal mortality, and improve access to reproductive health services, especially for persons affected by emergencies and displacement,” Ogwuche stated.

He disclosed that the state government was already training nurses, midwives, and frontline healthcare workers on emergency reproductive health services, adding that plans were underway to integrate emergency reproductive healthcare into the academic curriculum for nurses and midwives.

“This initiative is critical for sustainability and institutional strengthening within the health sector,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the UNFPA delegation, Chris Macaulay revealed that arrangements were in advanced stages for the establishment of a UNFPA office in Makurdi to improve coordination and rapid humanitarian response in Benue and neighbouring states.

“The proposed Makurdi office will enhance technical support, strengthen emergency response mechanisms, and deepen reproductive health interventions in the state,” Macaulay said.

He further disclosed that reproductive health kits and essential medical supplies had already been procured to support healthcare delivery at primary, secondary, and tertiary health institutions across the state.

The stakeholders also discussed strategies for attracting more donor support and international partnerships to address reproductive health and humanitarian challenges in Benue State.

Part of the advocacy efforts, according to participants, would involve symbolic donation activities with the Japanese Ambassador and other international representatives to draw global attention to the state’s healthcare needs.

The meeting stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and humanitarian organisations to avoid duplication of efforts, improve resource utilisation, and strengthen healthcare interventions.

Participants also emphasized the need for sustained public awareness campaigns, stronger referral systems, and effective media engagement as part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality and improve reproductive healthcare outcomes in Benue state.