Benue poised to curb outbreak of coronavirus

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has said it is prepared to curtail any outbreak of coronavirus in the state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Makurdi, even as he stated that there has been no case of Lassa fever in the state in the last four weeks.

Recall that a Chinese man tested positive for coronavirus last week in Cross River State, a development which sent shivers across the country, particularly in Benue State, which shares borders with Cross River.

Dr Ogwuche said as part of the state’s preparedness, its Public Health Emergency Response Centres have been reactivated and are functional, adding that all the pillars of operations are very active.

Giving an update on Lassa fever infection in the state, the Commissioner said it is winning the fight against the deadly disease, disclosing that the latest report from the State Epidemiologist indicates zero cases in the last four weeks.

He said, “We are winning. I was talking with the State Epidemiologist today and he told me they do not have any patient on admission now. For the past four weeks, we have been screening and are still screening and have not had any positives. But note that the incubation period is 42 days, and if God helps us and we get to that period without positives, we can declare the state Lassa fever-free.

“So far, we are doing well. There are no new cases. The success achieved so far is as a result of signal outbreak and lots of partners are here. The state government also supported us with funds. We did a lot of training and brought a lot of personal protective equipment, carried out sensitisation through jingles and messages as well as case finding in the communities.

“We also cried to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), who came in and assisted us. The support was from all over.”

Commenting on the renovation of primary healthcare centres in the state, the Commissioner posited that a lot has been done, insisting that the Governor believes in the functionality of the PHC centres.

He said that in late 2025, some health workers were recruited into the PHC system, acknowledging that gaps still exist.

According to him, the government and the Ministry are gradually closing the gaps so that the people can access the facilities for proper healthcare.

He said, “The plan is to revitalise all PHC centres in all the 276 council wards in the state with perimeter fencing and solar-powered lighting systems; staff and necessary consumables are made available. Those plans are fully in place. In fact, more than 110 PHC centres are being revitalised.”