The Benue government says it has made access to quality healthcare services one of its top priorities.

The commissioner for health and human services, Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this in Makurdi on Monday.

Mr Ogwuche said in particular that the government invested significantly in infrastructure, personnel, equipment, and healthcare financing.

He explained that the Hyacinth Alia-led administration had adopted deliberate strategies in 2026 to reposition the health sector, insisting that the government had brought quality healthcare closer to the people.

“Currently, all 23 general hospitals in the state are witnessing significant improvements in the area of staffing, adequate consumables, and general service delivery,” he said.

The commissioner added that the government had concluded plans to rehabilitate and upgrade health facilities to further strengthen healthcare service delivery in the state.

“While we still have challenges, particularly in the area of infrastructure deficit, equipment and shortage of manpower in some locations, the government is systematically addressing these issues through targeted interventions and strategic partnerships.

“Beyond the general hospitals, the government is implementing one of the most ambitious primary healthcare revitalisation programmes in the history of Benue.

“With support from development partners and the World Bank-assisted projects, numerous primary healthcare centres are being renovated, upgraded, and equipped to provide essential healthcare services at the grassroots,” he said.

Mr Ogwuche further stated that the administration was strengthening healthcare financing by expanding the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and improve affordability.

“We are working towards achieving universal health coverage by bringing more vulnerable populations into the insurance pool,” he said.

The commissioner also highlighted ongoing efforts in disease surveillance, epidemic preparedness, maternal and child healthcare, immunisation programmes, reproductive health interventions, and health workforce development.

He said that healthcare workers across the state were regularly trained and retrained to improve the quality of services provided in health facilities.

Mr Ogwuche disclosed that the state had also made significant investments in emergency preparedness and response systems, drawing lessons from recent public health challenges, including Lassa fever outbreaks.

He said the huge investments had strengthened the state’s capacity for disease surveillance, case management, laboratory services, infection prevention and control, and emergency coordination.

The commissioner further noted that the state government was deepening collaboration with federal institutions, development partners, donor agencies, faith-based organisations, and private-sector stakeholders to mobilise additional resources and expertise for health sector development.

“Our goal is to build a resilient, accessible, efficient, and people-centred healthcare system that delivers quality services to every resident of Benue. While there is still work to be done, the trajectory is positive, and we remain committed to ensuring that the health and well-being of our people remain at the centre of government policies and action,” he said.

Mr Ogwuche reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustaining reforms and investments that would strengthen the healthcare system and improve health outcomes for citizens across the state. 

(NAN)