Health Commissioner Leads Assessment Tour as Benue Govt Moves to Secure Permanent Site for General Hospital Otukpo

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has intensified efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Otukpo and surrounding communities as the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr.

The visit forms part of the administration’s ongoing drive to strengthen health infrastructure and enhance access to quality medical services across the state.

Dr. Ogwuche, accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Human Services and the Benue State Hospitals Management Board, inspected facilities and evaluated the hospital’s operational challenges.

Members of the delegation included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Cephas Hough; Director of Medical Services, Dr. Solomon Wombo; and the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mathew Onoja, among other officials.

The team was received by the Principal Medical Officer of General Hospital, Otukpo, Dr. James Diatah, who expressed appreciation for the visit and described it as a demonstration of government’s concern for the welfare of healthcare workers and patients.

He highlighted the challenges associated with the hospital’s temporary location and appealed for the speedy relocation of the facility to a permanent site.

During an extensive inspection tour, the delegation assessed infrastructure, medical equipment, service delivery points, staff welfare and other operational needs requiring attention.

Addressing hospital personnel after the inspection, Dr. Ogwuche commended the commitment and professionalism of the staff despite the limitations of the temporary facility. He assured them that the state government remains focused on creating an enabling environment for healthcare workers and improving service delivery across health institutions.

The Commissioner stated that healthcare remains a key priority of the current administration and noted that findings from the assessment would inform both immediate and long-term interventions aimed at strengthening services at the hospital.

He also encouraged health workers to remain dedicated to their duties and continue providing quality care to patients while supporting ongoing reforms in the health sector.

As part of the exercise, the delegation inspected three additional locations within Otukpo to determine their suitability as a permanent site for the hospital. The move is aimed at providing a more conducive environment for expanded healthcare services in the area.

General Hospital, Otukpo, has operated from a temporary facility since its former premises were transferred to the Federal Government in 2022 for the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo.
The assessment visit underscores the state’s efforts to address infrastructure gaps and reposition healthcare facilities to better serve residents of Otukpo and neighbouring communities.