By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A research centre on malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS constructed in partnership with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, has been commissioned by Governor Samuel Ortom.
During the ceremony, Mr Ortom thanked the Federal Government for choosing Benue State among the North Central states to site the project, assuring that his administration would support the research centre to achieve the purpose it was established.
According to the Governor, the centre would provide the information necessary for government to formulate and implement policies that would reduce the diseases prevalent in the state.
He expressed delight that the although the project was initiated by the Federal Government under the 2014/2015 MGDs funding during the last administration, it has been completed through the efforts of his administration.
However, Mr Ortom appealed to the FG to provide the necessary fittings and additional equipment that would make the research centre a real specialist facility and equally charged the staff of the teaching hospital to live up to expectation by providing the best service to patients and carry out research that would be useful to medical knowledge.
During the commissioning, the Governor announced the donation of six ambulances and thousands of exercise books and drugs purchased through the same partnership to six LGAs in the state. The councils are Agatu, Oju, Ohimini, Tarka, Gboko and Ushongo.