Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has commenced the construction of a ₦1.6 billion waterworks project for Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Stephen Hwande, made the disclosure on Thursday in Makurdi while speaking with journalists.

Mr Hwande said that the waterworks, which would produce 100,000 litres of water per day, were to address the water problem in the hospital.

The CMD further stated that the governor also commenced the construction of a drug-related and consumable centre.

Mr Hwande added that plans were underway to transform the hospital into a medical tourism centre in the North-Central.

He stressed that significant improvements had been made to the hospital’s existing structures.

He said, “To enhance the hospital’s capacity, 30 workers have been sent for training in oncology and other related fields. The Nursing and Midwifery Council recently approved Post Basic Nursing Programmes which has paved the way for the hospital to commence the sale of admission forms for the 2024/2025 academic session. The Post-basic Nursing Programmes courses that the hospital will be offering include Mental and Psychiatric Nursing (18 months), Nephrology Nursing (12 months), and Ophthalmic Nursing (12 months). To be eligible, applicants must have a registered nurse certificate with a current practising license, five credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry, and at least one year of post-qualification experience.’’

 (NAN)