Gov. Alia expands revolution to embrace children with special needs

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

It is said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation because a healthy population is crucial to the socioeconomic growth. With this in mind, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, in the last two years of his administration, has embarked on a revolution in the health sector, expanding healthcare and making it accessible and affordable to all residents, especially the vulnerable population.

Under two years, the Alia-led government has introduced several reforms in the healthcare sector in fulfilment of his campaign promises, prominent among them, to end medical tourism of Benue residents outside the state.

Under two years, Alia has undertaken some infrastructural transformation and procurement of equipment at the state’s hospitals to ensure that all residents access healthcare.

On October 17, government officials, traditional rulers, politicians and healthcare stakeholders from across the state converged for the second International Summit and Scientific Exhibition, an event that underscored a renewed commitment of the Alia-led administration to advancing healthcare, particularly for children with special needs.

A major highlight of the summit was the launch of an endowment fund dedicated to the expansion of the Therapeutic Centre for Children with Special Needs at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi.

Alia, while speaking at the event, reiterated his administration’s unwavering resolve to enhance healthcare delivery across the state. The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Deborah Aber, expressed his intention to make the summit an annual event to sustain dialogue and innovation in the state’s health sector.

He described the summit’s theme, “Exploring Medical Tourism Potentials at Benue State University Teaching Hospital: Prospects and Challenges,” as timely and visionary, reflecting his administration’s commitment to turning challenges to opportunities.

The governor said the maiden edition in July 2024 led to the establishment of an endowment fund for a cancer centre, saying the Senator Remi Tinubu Ultra-Modern Cancer Centre, estimated at N14 billion, is now under construction.

According to him, Nigeria loses about N2.3 billion annually to outbound medical tourism due to inadequate infrastructure and underfunding but stated that his administration was determined to reverse the trend.

Alia highlighted several projects already executed under his leadership, noting the transformation taking place at BSUTH and other medical institutions within Benue State.

He disclosed that the 2025 budget significantly increased healthcare expenditure, while BSUTH has been empowered to employ over 500 professionals to strengthen healthcare delivery and reduce unemployment.

He said his government approved the 2023 salary structure for BSUTH staff, cleared death benefits for deceased workers, and awarded contract for a 230,000-litre per-day water project. Other interventions include total renovation of the Radiology Department, procurement of 64/50 sound machines, and the release of N13 billion for advanced medical equipment to position the hospital as a leading referral centre.

Commissioner for health and human services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, commended the governor’s visionary leadership, describing the ongoing progress in the health sector as evidence of purposeful governance.

He reaffirmed his ministry’s dedication to expanding access to quality healthcare and making the sector a sustainable driver of socio-economic growth in the state.

Ogwuche said: “Under the guidance of the governor, we are not just providing healthcare as a social service; we are transforming it into an economic driver capable of creating jobs, boosting medical tourism and restoring hope to our people.

“With the revitalization of our hospitals, the integration of human capital development and renewed partnerships, Benue State is steadily becoming a regional hub for healthcare excellence.”

He further explained that the expansion of the Therapeutic Centre for Children with Special Needs was a strategic component of the broader Benue State Healthcare Reform Framework, with emphasis on inclusivity, accessibility and innovation.

The commissioner pledged that his ministry would continue to collaborate with public and private partners to strengthen specialised medical services for vulnerable populations.

Chief medical director of BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Hwande, commended the leadership of the governor and the proactive efforts of Dr. Ogwuche’s team in repositioning the health sector. He urged individuals, corporate organizations, and philanthropists to support the expansion initiative, noting that healthcare development requires collective responsibility and sustained investment.

The summit concluded on an optimistic note, as stakeholders applauded the Alia administration’s focus on professionalism, innovation, and people-centred reforms. Participants reaffirmed their readiness to partner with the state government to sustain the positive momentum and build a resilient healthcare system to meet the needs of all Benue citizens.

Meanwhile, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, commended Alia and Hwande for transforming the hospital into a centre of excellence capable of driving medical tourism in Nigeria.

The Tor Tiv, who spoke during the closing ceremony of the two-day Second International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition at BSUTH, said Benue was gradually becoming a home for medical tourism owing to the government’s massive investment in modern diagnostic equipment and healthcare infrastructure.

In his testimony, titled “When Capacity and Passion Meet Opportunity,” the Tor Tiv described leadership as the ability to identify capable individuals who can deliver on their mandate, noting that Alia demonstrated that quality by appointing Dr. Hwande to manage the hospital.

He noted that “Both Alia and Hwande have the capacity and the opportunity to express it. Opportunity came when the people of Benue made Alia governor and in all he is doing, he has the passion and capacity. Hwande, on his part, is an energetic and focused young man.”

He stated that, with the equipment now available at BSUTH, only a few hospitals in Nigeria could compare with it in diagnostic capacity. “Once diagnosis is wrong, whatever else is being done is wrong. But here, we now have the capacity to diagnose diseases correctly,” the paramount ruler stated.

He cautioned against “small politics” that could undermine the progress achieved, urging Benue people to protect their state’s growing healthcare reputation. He said: “We have many Yawehs and Hwandes in Benue. Let’s give our young people the opportunity to shine.”

Calling for greater patronage of BSUTH, the Tor Tiv, a professor of biochemistry, expressed confidence that what is being seen at the hospital is only the beginning of greater transformation.

“We will aspire, and we will be the best,” he said, promising that with modern facilities and improved staff welfare, the hospital’s medical professionals will deliver their best. He, however, charged the CMD to ensure prompt and compassionate services to patients, while staff should protect the hospital’s facilities as their own.

Tne chairman on the occassion, Senator Barnabas Gemade, commended Alia for prioritizing healthcare, saying BSUTH was “almost moribund” before Dr. Hwande’s appointment.

The board chairman and former CMD of the hospital, Prof. Orkurga Malu, thanked the governor for providing quality equipment that now attracts patients from across the country and urged Benue people to take ownership of healthcare development in the state.

The chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Prof. Michael Agbir, who announced the launch of a N2 billion appeal fund for the acquisition of advanced equipment and expansion of the therapeutic centre for children with special needs, commended the Alia administration and Dr. Hwande for improving the hospital’s facilities and engaging more healthcare professionals.

Other speakers, including former health commissioner, Prof. Joseph Ngbea, and vice-chancellors Prof. Simon Ubwa and Prof. Francis Uba described BSUTH as a fast-rising model for medical tourism in Nigeria.

Highlights of the two-day summit included scientific exhibitions, panel discussions, awards to notable contributors to the hospital’s growth and the official launch of a N2 billion endowment fund for a therapeutic centre for children with special needs.