Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustain its collaboration with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) to ensure that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have access to essential and quality healthcare services.
The SEMA executive secretary, Sir James Iorpuu, made the affirmation at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Agency and BSUTH yesterday at the premises of the facility in Makurdi. He said that aside from providing relief materials to the vulnerable population, the agency is also looking at providing quality healthcare services to ensure their well-being.
Iorpuu described the partnership as a significant milestone in the two government organisations’ collective efforts to alleviate the suffering of IDPs in Benue State and ensure their access to essential and quality healthcare services.
He said the plight of those in IDPs’ camps across Makurdi and Guma LGAs is one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges in recent times, lamenting that these vulnerable populations face numerous difficulties, including access to basic healthcare services, pointing out that many IDPs are unable to access the medical attention needed due to financial constraints and logistics barriers.
According to Iorpuu, “It is in recognition of this need that Benue SEMA has sought this collaboration with BSUTH, an institution renowned for its excellence in medical care and service delivery.”
He said, “Through this agreement, IDPs in the 10 designated camps will now have the opportunity to receive timely and quality healthcare services at BSUTH, with the assurance that SEMA will settle payments for such services” adding that “ this initiative is not just a demonstration of SEMA’s commitment to the welfare of displaced persons but also a testament to the importance of partnerships in addressing the complexities of humanitarian crises.
The SEMA boss maintained that by leveraging the expertise and resources of BSUTH and the coordination capabilities of SEMA, the Agency would set a precedent for how institutions could work together to achieve common goals for the betterment of society.
He expressed appreciation to the management of BSUTH for their willingness to collaborate with SEMA on the noble cause which is to save lives and promote public health.
On his part, Dr Stephen Hwande, chief medical director, CMD, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, emphasised the need for people of the state to contribute to saving lives instead of wasting huge sums of money burying the dead, assuring SEMA of its support to ensure the sustainability of the partnership.
