10/07/2026
WHO Donation Reflects Growing Confidence in Alia Administration, Benue Health Ministry – Commissioner:
The Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, has described the World Health Organization's (WHO) donation of essential medicines and emergency health commodities to Benue State as a clear indication of the confidence reposed in the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services and the administration of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, by the World Health Organization and other development partners.
Dr. Ogwuche made this known while receiving donated commodities on behalf of the Benue State Government from the WHO Benue State Coordinator, Dr. Mohammed Abdulkarim Abdullahi, during a ceremony at the Ministry's headquarters in Makurdi.
The Health Commissioner said the confidence demonstrated by international development partners reflects the current administration's commitment to transparency, accountability, effective collaboration and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
He noted that the donation transcends the provision of medicines, describing it as a strong endorsement of the Government's efforts to transform the health sector through strategic partnerships and responsible leadership.
He conveyed the appreciation of the Benue State Government and its people to the World Health Organization for its sustained partnership and invaluable support, describing the Organization as one of the state's most dependable allies in advancing public health.
Dr. Ogwuche also assured the WHO delegation that the donated commodities would be managed with the highest standards of accountability and transparency and promptly distributed to health facilities and communities where they are most needed.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to the strengthening of collaboration with development partners and the advancement of Universal Health Coverage in line with the health sector transformation agenda of the Alia administration.
Earlier, the WHO Benue State Coordinator, Dr. Mohammed Abdulkarim Abdullahi, said the donation was intended to strengthen Benue State's preparedness and response to priority disease outbreaks, including cholera, Lassa fever and other epidemic-prone diseases. He explained that the commodities would support healthcare delivery in vulnerable communities, particularly Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and host communities, where overcrowding and poor water, sanitation and hygiene conditions increase the risk of communicable diseases. According to him, the intervention will enhance emergency preparedness, improve case management, strengthen infection prevention and control measures, and reinforce the resilience of the state's health system.
Present at the ceremony were the Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Cephas Hough; the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Pharmacist Regina Chi-Chi Agir; the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Solomon Wombo; and other senior officials of the Ministry.
The donation, comprising essential medicines, intravenous fluids, oral rehydration salts, infection prevention and control supplies, medical consumables and other emergency response commodities, is expected to significantly strengthen Benue State's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks while improving access to quality healthcare services for vulnerable populations.
The intervention further reinforces the longstanding partnership between the World Health Organization and the Benue State Government in advancing the health sector transformation agenda of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and improving health outcomes for the people of Benue State.