Benue Gov calls on health workers to support growth of health institutions
By Bridget Ikyado
The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has invited all Benue sons and daughters who are professional health workers, far and near, to come home and contribute to the growth of the health institutions.
The Governor also announced reactivation of the Bond Scheme – an incentive based payment scheme that rewards clinical students of Benue origin who agree to work in hard -to-staff communities after their university studies.
Governor Alia made this known Monday, September 18, 2023 at the 9th Induction and Admission Ceremony for the 2023 Medical Graduands of the College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi.
The Benue State University, Makurdi has inducted 41 of their students into the noble profession of medical doctors today, bringing the total to 357 doctors so far produced by the University since inception.
Out of the 41 newly inducted medical doctors, Dr. Sandra Nguumbur Imenger and Dr. Dorathy Wuese Igbaver distinguished themselves each with a Distinction in Surgery.
Governor Alia, who is a visitor of the University congratulated the newly inducted doctors and their parents/guardians who stood by them throughout the journey and encouraged them to be good ambassadors of the University and the State.
The Governor, who promised to fix the issue of salary deductions of the University staff, saluted the vision and courage of all Benue sons and daughters who conceived the idea of the Medical College and applauded the resilience of all the staff who have endured the vicissitudes of building it from the foundation to the present level.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Tor Iorapuu appreciated the interest of Governor Hyacinth Alia in the University and expressed the hope that during Governor Alia’s administration, the University will experience more expansion and growth in all ramifications.
On his part, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University Makurdi, Prof. Linus Chia Saalu highlighted the achievements of the college including the accreditation of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programmes which, according to him, were facilitated by the Benue State Government.
He, however, stated that shortage of man power in the various subspecialties of medical sciences is one of the numerous challenges the college is facing.
Recall that due to the quality of medical doctors being produced at Benue State University, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) recently increased the admission quota for the University into the MBBS programme from 75 to 150 students.