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Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has personally inspected the newly installed radiology equipment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi, using the occasion to underscore his administration’s determination to transform the facility into a leading medical tourism destination in the North Central region.
The governor toured the hospital’s Radiology Department on Wednesday, January 22, 2026, where he expressed satisfaction with the upgrades and commended the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Terungwa Stephen Hwande, for aligning closely with the state government’s vision of elevating tertiary healthcare delivery through deliberate investment in cutting-edge medical infrastructure.
Governor Alia highlighted that the advanced radiology equipment marks a major leap forward in diagnostic capabilities at BSUTH. He explained that the facility will now enable faster, more accurate diagnoses, significantly reduce the need for patients to seek specialist imaging services outside Benue State, and improve overall access to high-quality healthcare for residents and people from neighbouring states.
The governor emphasised that sustained investment in health infrastructure forms a core pillar of his administration’s development agenda. He noted that these upgrades are expected to deliver multiple benefits: lowering out-of-pocket costs for patients who previously travelled long distances for scans, restoring public confidence in the state’s health system, and positioning BSUTH as a centre of medical excellence capable of attracting patients from across the region.
By strengthening diagnostic services and expanding the hospital’s capacity to handle complex cases locally, the administration aims to curb medical tourism outflows while turning BSUTH into an inflow destination for quality, affordable care. The governor reiterated that modern equipment, combined with skilled personnel and efficient service delivery, will help realise the goal of making Benue a preferred hub for specialised medical treatment in the North Central geopolitical zone.
The inspection comes amid ongoing efforts by the state government to revitalise the health sector, including staff training, infrastructure rehabilitation, and strategic procurement of essential medical tools. Officials believe these steps will not only enhance patient outcomes but also contribute to economic growth by retaining healthcare spending within the state and drawing patients from beyond its borders.
