Gov Hyacinth Alia on Thursday inaugurated the renovated Psycho-social Rehabilitation Centre and a 250 KVA solar power system at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi.
The governor, while inaugurating the projects, commended the Federal Government for donating the 250 KVA solar power system through the office of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
Gov Alia maintained that the solar power system would go a long way to solve the energy need of the hospital and enhance effective and efficient service delivery.
He said that the inauguration of the project marked the beginning of greater things to come in the hospital, adding that the choice of Dr Stephen Hwande as Chief Medical Director (CMD), was not a mistake as the hospital would experience unimaginable transformation.
He said President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Governors had jointly signed an agreement for the extension of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHC), to all local council wards across the states of the federation.
“Just few days ago, all the Nigerian Governors and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed this health act that now warrants Primary Health care institutions at all the wards of the country. That’s a huge milestone. Those who have one are going to have an addition, ”he said.
Alia also made a commitment and directed that immediate action be taken to address the issue of water shortage in the hospital.
He pledged that his administration would continue to do all that was humanly possible to ensure that healthcare services in the state met the required standard.
He warned against the activities of quacks in the medical profession in the state and urged the perpetrators to desist or face the law when caught.
“We have lost a lot of human lives in the past as a result of quackery and it is time for them to pack and go,” he said.
The governor enjoined the health workers in the hospital to put in their best, saying, “remain professional because we will ensure that the hospital becomes an attraction for not only the North Central, but for the nation.”
In his remarks, Dr Hwande, the CMD of BSUTH, Makurdi, appreciated the federal and state government for the projects.
He said the renovated and re-structured mental and Psycho-social Rehabilitation Centre, and the 250 KVA solar power system donated by the federal government of Nigeria, through the office of the Vice President were laudable projects with great benefit to the people.
Hwande said that with the inauguration of the project, the people of Benue were excited and looking forward to accessing efficient and effective healthcare services at the hospital.
He revealed that the hospital spends N12 million on power supply monthly, adding however, that with the inauguration of the 250 KVA solar power system, the cost be reduced to N6 million since the power capacity of the hospital was 500KVA.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria for donation of the 250KVA Solar power syatem to our hospital. The donation is timely because, various services in the Hospital have been reactivated and several new ones commenced, with attendant increase in the number of patients attending the hospital and leading to full utilisation of facilities.
“The installation of the 250KVA Solar power in the Wards and Theatre block will surely give the patients a new lease of life, just like the improvement of other facilities in the hospital, courtesy of your able leadership Your Excellency ,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Yanmar Ortese, the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, appreciated the governor for considering the establishment of a tertiary hospital in Benue North East senatorial district to boost healthcare service delivery in the area.
The rehabilitated psycho-social rehabilitation center is well equipped with several social amenities.
