ADASU UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL TO ESTABLISH ANNEXE IN AGATU LGA
…..Promises Grassroots Healthcare Transformation As Hon. James Melvin Ejeh Advocates For Lifesaving Healthcare Access In The Area.
By Orseer Fabian Mnzughulga, Makurdi.
The Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, formerly known as Benue State University Teaching Hospital, is set to establish an annex in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA), bringing succor to the people of the region who have long suffered in accessing quality and affordable healthcare services.
This announcement was made on Thursday, August 14, 2025, by the hospital’s Managing Director, Dr. Stephen Hwande, during a meeting with a delegation from Agatu LGA led by the council chairman, Hon. James Melvin Ejeh. Dr. Hwande described the proposal for the annexe as “a must-granted and God-ordained decision” to unite Benue State through improved healthcare access.
In his remarks, he emphasized the significance of the visit, noting the symbolic unity it represents— Hon. Ejeh hailing from Benue South and himself from Benue North-West. “This annexe is not just about healthcare; it is about bridging divides and bringing critical services closer to underserved communities,” Dr. Hwande stated. He praised Hon. Ejeh, as the first chairman from Benue South, to champion such a unifying initiative, asserting that the chairman’s efforts have already written his name in gold.
To ensure swift implementation, Dr. Hwande immediately announced the hospital’s Director of Finance, Dr. Michael Abah, FCA, is chairman of the annexe establishment committee.
Earlier, Hon. Ejeh, in his appeal for the annex, highlighted the dire healthcare challenges faced by the people of Agatu LGA for decades. “Our people have suffered from a lack of access to quality and affordable healthcare. We have lost countless lives promising individuals, pregnant women, and children simply because a healthcare facility was not within reach,” he lamented.
He passionately argued that the establishment of the annexe would be a lifesaving intervention in the region, capable of reducing maternal and child mortality rates, improving emergency response, and providing affordable care to grassroots communities. Hon. Ejeh also expressed his admiration for the transformation witnessed at the teaching hospital under Dr. Hwande’s leadership, commending Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for appointing such a visionary leader. “Dr. Hwande has truly elevated the hospital to world-class standards in a remarkably short time. His leadership gives us hope for what is possible,” Ejeh said.
The deputy ALGON chairman in Benue State further stated that the proposed annexe extends far beyond healthcare delivery. “This annex promises job creation for local healthcare workers, improved health literacy in rural communities, and reduced financial burdens for families who currently travel long distances for treatment in urban centres. The annexe will also enhance the hospital’s capacity for medical research and training, fostering the development of healthcare professionals from Benue South,” the Agatu council chairman stated. Hon. Ejeh assured that efforts would be made to liaise with ALGON in Benue to ensure the annexe is fully domesticated within the framework of grassroots healthcare delivery.
Prominent figures in the delegation, including Hon. Commissioner-designate Dr.mrs Adamu Margaret Ijaguwa and other community leaders, such as the former chairman of the council, Mohammed Audu, majority leader of Agatu Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Enogela Jibrin, and the deputy leader, Hon. Jibril Fatima, among others, pledged their commitment to supporting the project.
The annexe, once completed, will stand as a beacon of hope and a practical solution to longstanding healthcare challenges in Agatu LGA.
Photo credit: Ayua Thadeus.