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From Hir Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF), has donated medical supplies to support the Benue state government in catering for the medical needs of displaced persons in the state.
Making the donation at the state Ministry of Health in Makurdi, on Thursday, the UNICEF Health Specialist, Benue State, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, said the supplies was a donation from the organization for humanitarian response in Benue state.
Handing over the drugs, Anyanyo said “these are drugs, medical supplies, that will support the humanitarian response in the state.
“Our heart goes out to thousands of people that have been dislocated from their homes because of the crisis in the state and on behalf of UNICEF, please accept these donations from us and we hope that it will go a long way in addressing the health challenges in the state and also mitigating the impact of these disruptions and dislocations of people from their homes,” she said.
Receiving the supplies on behalf of the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, Benue State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, appreciated UNICEF for the gesture saying the organization has continued to be a worthy partner in the state from time immemorial.
He recalled that earlier in the year, UNICEF built and donated a health clinic to the state government at Daudu saying “Today we are witnessing another intervention by UNICEF for our IDPs camp.”
He assured the organization and other development partners in the state of the support of state government and particularly, the Ministry of Health in ensuring that the drugs are effectively used for the purpose donated.
“The quality of drugs in the state is one key area the Governor wants to be improved. We have started and sponsored a bill at the State Assembly for the drug management agency. With that it will enable us build the remaining stores at Apir in the nearest future.”
Ortese appealed to UNICEF and other partners to support the state government in actualizing the dream for the good of all residents and the IDPs in the state.
He assured that the state government is working tirelessly with the federal government, security agencies, UNICEF and other development partners in ensuring that the displaced persons in the state return to their ancestral homes.
The Executive Secretary, Benue state Primary Health Care Board, (PHCB), Mrs Ashi Wende, explained that the supplies are basic drugs for the treatment of minor illnesses that do not require operation such as skin diseases, pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, headache, pain among others.
“These are illnesses that commonly affect the wellbeing of our people at the IDP camps and others who are not resident in well designed shelters,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Health, Dr Beatrice Tsavmbu, who noted that the Ministry is blessed with a committed workforce said they will support the Governor Alia government and the commissioner to ensure that the drugs donated by UNICEF are properly put to use.
