By Amos Aar
THE CHIEF Medical Director (CMD), Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Dr Stephen Hwande, has claimed that Benue is the first state in Nigeria to comply with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation to allocate at least 15 per cent of annual budget to health sector.
Dr Hwande made the declaration on Monday while marking his 100 days in office. He was appointed as BSUTH’s CMD on October 17, 2023
As part of activities for the celebration, Governor Hyacinth Alia commissioned several projects including a newly-renovated mortuary, water schemes in the hospital and its quarters, public toilets, among others, which were executed within the 100 days by the CMD.
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Represented by Deputy Governor Sam Ode, the governor assured Hwande that the budget required to turn things around in the hospital would be implemented 100%.
“I want to assure you, Dr Hwande, and your team that the capital budget which you require to turn things around in this place will be implemented to 100%,” Ode assured.
Ode, who described Hwande’s appointment as a breakthrough for the health sector in Benue State, said Governor Alia attached enormous importance to the health sector and would continue to support BSUTH so as to enhance the status of the hospital and upgrade it to a centre of excellence, noting that health is wealth.
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National Record‘s findings indicate that though in the 2024 budget passed by the Benue State House of Assembly, the sum of N33.88 billion, representing 15.01 per cent of the total 2024 approved figures is allocated to the Health sector, it is not certain how much has been released or if the total percentage will eventually be released.
