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Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide quality healthcare services to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.
The partnership, signed on November 21, 2024, aims to address the critical healthcare needs of IDPs in 10 designated camps across Makurdi and Guma Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Blueprint report that many IDPs face significant challenges in accessing medical attention due to financial constraints and logistical barriers.
According to Sir James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of SEMA, the collaboration marked a significant milestone in alleviating the suffering of IDPs.
He said BSUTH’s expertise and SEMA’s coordination capabilities will ensure timely and quality healthcare services, with SEMA covering payment for the services.
Iorpuu noted that both SEMA and BSUTH will remain accountable to the people, ensuring effective implementation and transparency.
Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital Dr. Stephen Hwande, commended SEMA for the gesture saying the initiative was important and will serve greatly in addressing humanitarian crises in the state.
He said by working together, SEMA and BSUTH can achieve common goals and promote public health.
He also said with the partnership in place both institutions are committed to providing relief, dignity, and hope to vulnerable populations.
This gesture will go a long way to alleviate the health care challenges faced by SEMA in the cause of carrying out its responsibility.
Many times we had cause to treat IDPs Lassa fever in this hospital and treating only one case of Lassa fever cause more than a million naira.
But with this partnership, BSUTH is ready to provide discount on the treatment of the IDPs including those with cases of Lassa fever,” he added.
