COVID : Benue activates emergency response

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has intensified surveillance and response measures to guard against any possible outbreak of COVID-19, following recent developments in neighbouring Cross River state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, who disclosed this in Makurdi, said the state is on high alert following a reported COVID-19 case involving a Chinese national in Cross River, a situation that has raised concern due to Benue’s proximity to the state.

“We are not taking chances. The state is fully prepared to respond to any emergency,” Ogwuche said, noting that Public Health Emergency Response Centres have been reactivated and are operating at full capacity.

“All the response pillars are active and functional. Our teams are on standby to contain any threat,” he added.

On Lassa Fever, the Commissioner gave a reassuring update, announcing that the state had not recorded any new cases in the last four weeks, a development he described as a significant milestone in the fight against the disease.

“We are making steady progress. At the moment, there is no patient on admission, and for the past four weeks, all screenings conducted have returned negative,” he said.

Ogwuche, however, urged sustained vigilance, stressing that the 42-day incubation period remains a critical benchmark. “If we successfully go through the 42-day window without a new case, then we can declare victory over Lassa Fever in the state,” he explained.

He credited the achievement to coordinated efforts between the state government and health partners, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

“We strengthened our response through training, provision of protective equipment, aggressive public sensitisation, and improved case management at the community level. The support from our partners has been invaluable,” he noted.

According to him, the improved situation has prompted some supporting organisations to begin withdrawing from the state.

Meanwhile, the commissioner also highlighted ongoing reforms in the Primary Healthcare Sector, revealing that the government is investing heavily in upgrading facilities across the state. “More than 110 Primary Healthcare Centres, PHC, are currently being revitalised, and the plan is to extend this to all 276 council wards,” he said.

He explained that the upgrades include improved infrastructure, solar-powered lighting, perimeter fencing, and the provision of essential medical supplies and personnel.

While acknowledging that challenges still exist, Ogwuche maintained that the government was committed to closing existing gaps. “The gaps are quite significant, but we are addressing them step by step. The aim is to ensure that every community has access to quality healthcare services,” he said.

He further disclosed that additional health workers were recruited into the PHC system towards the end of 2025 to boost manpower and improve service delivery across the state.