BSUTH Set to Become a Medical Tourism Hub – Gov. Alia
Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia commits to enhancing BSUTH's capabilities to serve both local and international healthcare needs during an accreditation visit by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
Mary Nwaeze 
The Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) into a medical tourism destination, poised to address the healthcare needs of both local and international patients.
Governor Alia made this known during a courtesy visit to him by a delegation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, currently in Benue State for an accreditation visit to BSUTH. The delegation, led by the Council's Assistant Director of Nursing, Mr. Timbual Yamai, met with the governor's team at the Government House in Makurdi.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, mni, Governor Alia praised the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Hwande, and his team for their efforts in upgrading the hospital's infrastructure and improving service delivery. The governor emphasized his administration’s dedication to providing "a new lease of life" for the people of Benue State through quality healthcare.
"We are committed to addressing any deficits identified during this review," Governor Alia stated, referring to the accreditation visit. He commended the role of nurses and midwives as the backbone of global healthcare systems, affirming the importance of their contributions to effective healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, Mr. Timbual Yamai, leader of the accreditation team, expressed satisfaction with the improvements made since their last visit to the College of Nursing at BSUTH. He noted that many of the concerns raised previously had been resolved, enabling academic activities to progress smoothly.
Yamai also lauded the Benue State Government and the management of BSUTH for their commitment to enhancing the nursing program, which he noted would benefit not only the people of the state but the entire country. He assured that the accreditation exercise would be thorough, with the findings submitted promptly for action.
CMD of BSUTH, Dr. Stephen Hwande, expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for his continued support in advancing the institution towards global standards. He highlighted the importance of achieving accreditation for the nursing program, emphasizing that it would contribute to the overall development of the teaching hospital and improve healthcare outcomes for Benue citizens and the nation at large.
