By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, has embarked on a statewide familiarization tour of agencies under his ministry as part of efforts to deepen coordination and improve healthcare delivery across the state.

During his visit to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, the Commissioner was received by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Stephen Hwande and his management team. They briefed him on recent achievements at the hospital, ongoing projects, and operational challenges requiring government attention.

Dr. Ogwuche was later taken on an inspection of major facilities, including the ongoing Cancer Centre project, the Pharmacosurgical Complex, the Water Treatment Plant, and the VIP Clinics. Other critical sections of the tertiary health institution were also showcased.

Impressed by the level of work done, the Commissioner praised the BSUTH management for what he described as the “remarkable transformation achieved in the last two years.”

He noted that the progress reflected Governor Hyacinth Alia’s firm commitment to repositioning the state’s health sector.

According to him, the improvements at the teaching hospital demonstrated “what focused leadership and proper coordination can deliver.”

The Commissioner has also visited the Benue State Health Insurance Agency, the School of Nursing, Makurdi, and the Benue State AIDS Control Agency (BENSACA).

At each stop, he explained that the tour aimed to obtain firsthand information on agency operations, identify critical gaps requiring intervention, deepen collaboration, and ensure that all health institutions aligned with the state’s policy direction.

Dr. Ogwuche said the familiarization exercise formed part of a broader strategy to consolidate ongoing improvements and fully align the state’s health system with Governor Alia’s transformation agenda, which prioritized efficiency, accountability, and accessible quality healthcare for all Benue residents.

The Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Beatrice Tswambu; the Directors of Medical Services, Public Health, and Nursing Services; the Head of the Public Relations Unit; and other senior ministry officials.