Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) has unveiled a pioneering therapeutic centre specifically designed for children with special needs, marking it as the first facility of its kind within any teaching hospital nationwide.
During a guided tour for journalists showcasing the hospital’s latest medical equipment, Dr. Hwande praised Governor Hyacinth Alia’s efforts to position BSUTH as a premier medical tourism hub in the North Central region and beyond.
He explained, “This centre is dedicated to delivering holistic care and educational support to children facing developmental difficulties, complete with boarding accommodations to serve a larger number of beneficiaries.” The centre currently employs 20 specialized educators alongside a multidisciplinary team drawn from various hospital departments.
Dr. Hwande also announced the arrival of the third shipment of cutting-edge medical devices supplied by United International Technologies Limited, a move aimed at curbing the trend of patients seeking treatment outside the state.
“With this new equipment, the need for medical travel will be eliminated. Residents who previously requested funds from the Governor to access healthcare elsewhere can now receive top-quality treatment locally at affordable prices,” he stated.
Our sources confirm that this delivery represents the third installment in a ₦13 billion medical equipment procurement deal between the Benue State Government and United International Technologies Limited.
Looking ahead, Dr. Hwande revealed that the hospital is preparing to host its second International Health Investment Summit from October 16 to 17. The event, themed “Exploring the Medical Health Potentials at Benue State University Teaching Hospital,” will review the progress of Governor Alia’s healthcare initiatives over the past two years.
“The summit will highlight the successes, challenges, and future opportunities within the healthcare sector under the current administration,” he added.
He underscored the Governor’s ambition to transform BSUTH into a comprehensive medical tourism destination, not only serving Benue State but also neighboring regions such as Taraba, Cross River, Nasarawa, and Kogi.
“Several pieces of equipment introduced today are unique to this area, unavailable in surrounding states,” Dr. Hwande noted, emphasizing the goal to stop medical migration by providing world-class healthcare services locally.
This initiative traces back to the inaugural summit, where Governor Alia committed ₦2 billion towards a cancer centre project, which is projected to cost nearly ₦20 billion.
Additional developments inspired by the Governor’s vision include the establishment of the therapeutic centre, a pharmaceutical division, and a VIP unit-all designed to enhance the hospital’s service quality and strengthen the state’s health infrastructure.
Dr. Hwande stressed that the summit’s focus is on tangible healthcare delivery rather than politics. “Our dedicated team is committed to elevating BSUTH to one of the nation’s leading hospitals,” he affirmed.
Representing the Commissioner of Health, Beatrice Tsavmbu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, commended the hospital’s management and reiterated the ministry’s unwavering support. “Under Governor Alia’s leadership, quality healthcare is becoming a reality. We must continue to back this transformative journey in the health sector,” she said.
With the arrival of this third batch of advanced medical equipment, expectations are high that BSUTH will soon emerge as a center of medical excellence, attracting patients from across Nigeria and neighboring countries.
