From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has lamented over the monumental loss annually, amounting to over ₦2.3 billion by Nigeria from outbound medical tourism due to inadequate infrastructure and underfunding of medical sector.
Gov. Alia said in a bid to address this challenge, his administration has begun the construction of Senator Remi Tinubu Ultra-Modern Cancer Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital(BSUTH) in Makurdi at estimated cost of ₦14 billion.
Governor Alia, who spoke through the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Barr. Serumun Aber during the closing ceremony of the two-day 2nd International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition held at BSUTH in Makurdi at weekend, stressed the need for the summit to become 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 into opportunities.
The governor recalled that the maiden edition of the summit in July 2024 led to the establishment of an endowment fund for a cancer centre, stating that his administration was determined to make impact and health care services closer to people of the State.
According to him, the 2025 budget significantly increased healthcare expenditure, while BSUTH has been empowered to employ over 500 professionals to strengthen healthcare delivery and reduce unemployment.
Alia explained that his government approved the 2023 salary structure for BSUTH staff, cleared death benefits for deceased workers, and awarded a 230,000-litre per-day water project.
Furthermore, he stated that he has also, intervened in total renovation of the Radiology Department, procurement of 64/50 sound machines, and the release of ₦13 billion for advanced medical equipment to position the hospital as a leading referral centre.
On his part, the Tor Tiv , His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and the Chief Medical Director of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Dr. Stephen Hwande, for transforming the hospital into a centre of excellence capable of driving medical tourism in Nigeria.
He noted that Benue is gradually becoming a home for medical tourism owing to the government’s massiv investment in modern diagnostic equipment and healthcare infrastructure.
The Tor Tiv, in his testimony titled “When Capacity and Passion Meet Opportunity,” described leadership as the ability to identify capable individuals who can deliver on their mandate, noting that Governor Alia demonstrated that quality by appointing Dr. Hwande to manage the hospital.
“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.
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. “We have many Yawehs and Hwandes in Benue. Let’s give our young people the opportunity to shine,” he added.
Calling for greater patronage of BSUTH, the Tor Tiv, a professor of Biochemistry, expressed confidence that what is currently being seen at the hospital is only the beginning of greater transformation.
“We will aspire, and we will be the best,” he said, assuring that with modern facilities and improved staff welfare, the hospital’s medical professionals will deliver their best. He also charged the CMD to ensure prompt and compassionate services to patients while staff should protect the hospital’s facilities as their own.
For his part, Chairman of the occasion, Senator Barnabas Gemade, commended Governor 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 massive Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said under Governor Alia’s leadership, healthcare in Benue has moved beyond service delivery to becoming an economic asset for the people, stressing that the state’s investment has made it a true hub for medical tourism.
Earlier, CMD Dr. Stephen Hwande told journalists that the summit was organized to review progress since the maiden edition and bridge gaps in medical practice, research, and infrastructure. He said BSUTH had upgraded its diagnostic and therapeutic facilities to meet international standards and now provides a platform for medical experts and investors to exchange innovative ideas.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Prof. Michael Agbir, who announced the launch of a ₦2 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 of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), and Prof. Francis Aba Uba, of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO) – 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 ₦2 billion endowment fund for a therapeutic centre for children with special needs.
