Benue Govt activates emergency centres over COVID-19 alert
Benue Health Commissioner Reactivates Emergency Response Centres Amid COVID-19 Concerns
MAKURDI, Benue State — Dr. Paul Ogwuche, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, announced Tuesday that the ministry has reactivated its Emergency Response Centres to enhance preparedness for any potential COVID-19 outbreaks.
Ogwuche’s remarks came in response to media inquiries following reports that a Chinese national tested positive for COVID-19 in neighboring Cross River State last week, raising concerns in Benue.
“The emergency response centres are functional,” Ogwuche affirmed. “All operational pillars are active, so there is no need for anyone to panic because of what happened in Cross River State. While we share a boundary with Cross River, I assure the public that all Public Health Emergency Response Centres have been reactivated and are operational.”
In addition to addressing COVID-19, Ogwuche provided an update on Lassa fever in the region. He reported that no new cases have been recorded in the past four weeks. The latest briefing from the state epidemiologist confirmed that there are currently no patients requiring admission related to Lassa fever.
“We are making progress,” he said. “According to the State Epidemiologist, there have been no positive cases during the screening conducted over the past four weeks. If we reach a 42-day incubation period without new cases, we can declare the state free of Lassa fever.”
Ogwuche attributed the success in managing Lassa fever to early interventions and the support of various partners, as well as funding from the state government. Measures taken include extensive training, the procurement of personal protective equipment, and public awareness campaigns.
The commissioner also mentioned ongoing renovations at Primary Health Care Centres throughout Benue State, aiming to improve healthcare delivery. While additional health workers have been employed to assist within the Primary Health Care system, he acknowledged that shortages in manpower persist in certain areas.
Ogwuche concluded by noting that support from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organization has been instrumental in the state’s health initiatives. Some partners are beginning to scale back their involvement as conditions continue to improve significantly.
