Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, announced on Tuesday that the ministry has re‑activated its Emergency Response Centres to bolster preparedness against a possible COVID‑19 outbreak. The statement came during a press briefing in Makurdi following reports that a Chinese national tested positive for COVID‑19 in neighboring Cross River State last week, which had raised concern among residents of Benue.
Dr Ogwuche told journalists that all operational pillars of the Emergency Response Centres are now functional, mitigating any need for panic despite the proximity to the affected border. “We share a boundary with Cross River, but I assure the public that all Public Health Emergency Response Centres have been re‑activated and are operational,” he said.
In the same briefing, the commissioner provided an update on Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease that regularly affects the region. He reported that no new cases have been recorded in the past four weeks. “The state epidemiologist confirmed that there are no patients currently admitted,” Ogwuche said, adding that the state is approaching the 42‑day incubation threshold. If no additional cases emerge within that period, Benue could be declared free of Lassa fever.
Ogwuche attributed the decline in Lassa cases to early response measures and the support of multiple partners. “The state government funded extensive training, purchase of personal protective equipment, community sensitisation through jingles and public messages, and case tracking,” he explained. He also noted technical assistance from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), though some partners are beginning to withdraw as the situation improves.
The commissioner highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the health system beyond disease‑specific responses. Renovation works are under way at Primary Health Care (PHC) centres across Benue, and additional health workers have been recruited into the PHC network, although staffing gaps persist in certain districts.
By re‑activating emergency infrastructure and sustaining disease surveillance, Benue State aims to maintain vigilance against COVID‑19 and other infectious threats while progressing toward a Lassa‑free status. Continued coordination with national agencies and international partners will be essential to sustain these gains and ensure resilient health service delivery.
