A recent collaboration was announced between the Benue State Emergency Management Agency and the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi. This partnership aims to ensure that internally displaced persons in the state have swift access to healthcare services.
James Iorpuu, the acting Executive Secretary of SEMA, highlighted the challenges faced by IDPs in Makurdi and Guma local government areas, emphasizing the crucial need for improved healthcare access.
He expressed concerns over the financial and logistical obstacles preventing many IDPs from receiving essential medical care promptly.
Iorpuu emphasized that the collaboration with the teaching hospital will enable the displaced persons to receive necessary healthcare services in a timely manner, with the agency covering the costs for the services initially.
Describing the agreement as significant, Dr. Stephen Hwande, the Chief Medical Director of the teaching hospital, stressed the importance of immediate healthcare access for displaced persons.
Hwande commended the initiative as a lasting solution that transcends current leadership, acknowledging the financial burden of treating patients and expressing readiness to provide discounted services in support of SEMA’s efforts.
The commitment to prioritize the healthcare needs of IDPs through this partnership underscores the value of collaborative efforts in addressing humanitarian crises effectively.