The Benue State Government on Thursday said it will establish a Centre for Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases Intelligence and Management in the state.
This is coming on the heels of the raging Coronavirus disease, an acclaimed viral infection and global pandemic.
Governor Samuel Ortom made this known on Thursday at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, while receiving a proposal from the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Prof Linus Saalu on the need to kick start the project.
The centre is to be domiciled in the College of Health Sciences of Benue State University.
Speaking on the development, Ortom who expressed happiness at the proposal, said the establishment of the centre is timely and would help in tackling the rampant cases of diseases in the state.
He hinted that when the institute comes into effect, it would help in repositioning the health sub-sector in the state.
According to the governor, “this will be a plus and a milestone for the health sub-sector, not just in Benue State but the entire country.”
He also set up a committee headed by the Benue state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sunday Ongbabo to look at the proposal and fine-tune the key areas in a bid to fast-track the kick-off of the institution.
Prof Saalu while presenting the proposal to Governor Ortom, listed the areas of strength by the college to include human capital in medical research, core competencies in investigations, emerging infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases.
