By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA has reaffirmed commitment to not just providing relief materials to the vulnerable population but also bring dignity and hope to the internally displayed persons, IDPs, in the state.
Executive Secretary, BSEMA, James Iorpuu, made the affirmation at the the signing of memorandum of understanding, MoU, between the Agency and Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, held, Thursday, in Makurdi.
Iorpuu described the partnership as significant milestone in the collective efforts of the two government agencies to alleviate the suffering of IDPs in Benue State and to ensure their access to essential and quality healthcare services.
He said the plight of those in IDP camps across Makurdi and Guma local government areas is one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges in recent times, lamenting that these vulnerable populations face numerous difficulties, including access to healthcare and pointed out that many IDPs are unable to access the medical attention urgently needed due to financial constraints and logistical barriers.
Iorpuu pointed out that it is in recognition of this need that Benue SEMA has sought this collaboration with BSUTH, an institution renowned for its excellence in medical care and service delivery.
He said through this agreement, IDPs in the 10 designated camps will now have the opportunity to receive timely and quality healthcare services at BSUTH, with the assurance that payments for such services would be settled by SEMA at a later date, adding that the initiative is not just a demonstration of SEMA’s commitment to the welfare of displaced persons but also a testament to the importance of partnerships in addressing the complexities of humanitarian crises.
On his part, Chief Medical Director, CMD, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Stephen Hwande, emphasized the need for people of the state to contribute to saving lives instead of wasting huge sums of money to bury the dead, assuring SEMA of its support to ensure sustainability of the partnership.