Alia’s Healthcare Reforms Transform BSUTH, Expand Access To Specialist Care In Benue

Three years into the administration of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, is undergoing a major transformation, with renewed investment in infrastructure, medical equipment, manpower and specialist healthcare services.

When Governor Alia assumed office in May 2023, he identified healthcare as one of the critical sectors requiring urgent intervention. Since then, his administration has placed BSUTH at the centre of efforts to strengthen the state’s healthcare system and reduce the need for residents to seek specialised treatment outside Benue.

Before the current administration, BSUTH faced significant challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, obsolete medical equipment, inadequate diagnostic facilities and shortages of medical personnel. These difficulties affected service delivery and compelled some patients to travel outside the state for specialised care, increasing the financial burden on families.

In response, Governor Alia appointed Dr. Terungwa Stephen Hwande as Chief Medical Director and initiated a comprehensive reform programme aimed at repositioning the institution as a centre of medical excellence.

One of the major areas of intervention has been cancer care. In 2024, the state government committed ₦2 billion to cancer treatment, while construction commenced on the Senator Remi Tinubu Ultra-Modern Cancer Centre, reportedly valued at about ₦14 billion. The administration also launched a ₦2 billion appeal fund for the establishment of a therapeutic centre for children living with autism and other special needs.

Maternal and child healthcare has also received considerable attention. In 2023, the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital in Makurdi was transferred to BSUTH for full management, strengthening specialist maternal and child healthcare services.

The development subsequently produced a major milestone in January 2025, when the facility recorded its first successful in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) deliveries, with three babies delivered at subsidised costs.

Other interventions at BSUTH include the introduction of cytology equipment for cervical cancer management, the acquisition of modern equipment for minimally invasive fibroid surgery, renovation of the Radiology Department and upgrading of the hospital’s pharmaceutical services to enable direct sourcing of medicines from manufacturers.

The administration has also invested in water infrastructure, including a contract for a 230,000-litre-per-day water project aimed at improving essential hospital services.

Medical technology has remained another major component of the reform programme. Through a partnership with United International Technologies (UIT), BSUTH has received medical and non-medical equipment in phases.

In January 2026, Governor Alia inspected newly installed radiology equipment at the hospital, with the technology expected to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce waiting time for patients.

In addition, the government procured diagnostic equipment in September 2024, while Project C.U.R.E., USA, donated 10 containers of sophisticated medical equipment reportedly worth several billions of naira.

According to information provided by the administration, about ₦13 billion has been released for advanced medical equipment, strengthening BSUTH’s capacity to provide specialised services and positioning it as an emerging referral centre in the North-Central region.

The human-resource component of the reform has also been significant. BSUTH recruited 400 workers, including 60 doctors and 140 nurses, while additional recruitment provisions were made in the 2025 budget.

Across the wider health sector, the administration has approved the recruitment of more than 500 health workers. During a recent media tour, about 300 newly recruited specialists, consultants, technicians and other healthcare professionals were formally inducted.

The administration has also taken steps to improve staff welfare and retention by aligning the salaries of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals with those obtainable in federal teaching hospitals. It implemented the 2023 salary structure and cleared outstanding death benefits owed to families of deceased workers.

Beyond infrastructure and manpower, BSUTH has witnessed several policy and institutional reforms. Through the revitalised state bond scheme, 369 clinical students have received sponsorship with an obligation to serve in state-owned hospitals after graduation.

The hospital has also established strategic partnerships with Shanghai Haitian Hospital for clinical and academic collaboration, while working with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to strengthen emergency medical services for internally displaced persons.

Access to healthcare for vulnerable groups has equally received attention. In 2025, BSUTH introduced free medical services for certified pensioners, covering consultations and admissions.

The hospital is also pursuing accreditation for seven post-basic nursing programmes, a development expected to strengthen specialist nursing education and healthcare delivery in the state.

The impact of the reforms is increasingly being reflected in the range of services available to residents. Cancer treatment, IVF, Mpox management, advanced obstetric care and improved diagnostic services are now available within the institution, reducing the need for patients to travel outside Benue for some specialised treatments.

The transformation also has wider economic implications. With increased capacity and specialist services, BSUTH is being positioned to attract patients from neighbouring states and potentially develop into a medical tourism hub for the North-Central region.

The expansion has also created employment opportunities while plans for additional facilities, including a five-star smart medical facility, are expected to generate further economic activity.

The hospital is also preparing to host the second International Health Investment Summit and Scientific Exhibition, which is expected to bring together stakeholders to assess progress and explore sustainable investment opportunities in the health sector.

For many residents, the significance of the BSUTH transformation goes beyond renovated buildings and new equipment. It represents an attempt to restore confidence in public healthcare and make specialised treatment more accessible to ordinary citizens.

While the sustainability of these interventions will depend on continued funding, effective management and maintenance of facilities, the ongoing developments at BSUTH demonstrate the potential impact of sustained public investment in healthcare.

If maintained, the reforms could strengthen BSUTH’s role as a major referral centre, reduce outbound medical travel, create employment and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes for people across Benue State and the wider North-Central region.