As Benue state joins the rest of the country to celebrate the 2024 World Health Day, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Yanmar Ortese, said the state government has enrolled over 50,000 of its vulnerable populations into the State Health Insurance Scheme.
The Commissioner disclosed this at a press briefing in his office being part of the events to mark the World Health Day in the state.
He said the enrollment was done under the basic health care provision fund program across the 276 political wards of the state.
According to him, to also ensure that the right to health is not hindered by economic status, the state government has also enrolled over 5,500 Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) into the scheme.
He expressed joy at the recruitment of 400 new staff at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital BSUTH and the procurement of essential medical equipment saying it has enhanced the tertiary healthcare services in the state and also bolstered the efforts.
He noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, “My Health, My Right,” is not just a theme but a commitment of the Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia’s administration to remain dedicated to upholding healthcare as a right of every Benue resident.
Ortese lamented that despite achievements made so far, Benue is facing significant challenges as it is experiencing multiple disease outbreaks including Lassa Fever, measles and Buruli Ulcer among others.
“Currently, we are responding to the largest fever outbreak in the history of the state. Our response capabilities are stretched, particularly as we lack a functional public health Molecular Laboratory.
“Our fight against Tuberculosis is ongoing, with the state ranking 6th in the country and 1st in the North Central Zone for TB cases.
He called on stakeholders across all sectors to support the state in providing appropriate infrastructure and needed human resources to make health services accessible to citizens. “We also seek support in strengthening our Buruli Ulcer and TB control program to reverse the tide against the diseases.
Also speaking, the World Health Organization, (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti represented by WHO State Coordinator Benue State, Dr. Mohammed Abdulkarim, said consideration of vulnerable groups must be assessed.
“Their needs ought to be purposively integrated into health programmes at all levels to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“We know that many in our region still need help with access to quality essential health services due largely to unfulfilled rights. This is further compounded by protracted and ongoing crises such as conflicts, climate change, food security, disease outbreaks and epidemics.
“The number of people aged 15 and over living with HIV is still high at an estimated 24.3 million in 2021 (3.4% of the total population) compared to 15.6 million in 2005. This reflects the continued transmission of HIV despite reductions in the incidence of people newly infected and the benefits of significantly expanded access to antiretrovirals.”
Our correspondent reports that the World Health Day celebration started with a health walk which began at the First Gate of the Benue State University, (BSU) Makurdi, through High Level and ended at the Ministry of Health, Makurdi.
Source: https://sunnewsonline.com/world-health-day-benue-enrols-over-50000-vulnerable-persons-5500-idps-in-his/
