Benue govt releases N39m to fight yellow fever in Owukpa, Otukpo, Okpokwu, others

Benue State Government has announced the release of N39million to ensure eradication of yellow fever and completion of the office complex of the state Primary Health Care Board, Makurdi.

Governor Samuel Ortom, speaking on Tuesday at the launch of yellow fever vaccination campaign at IBB Square, Makurdi, sought commitment from partners and stakeholders for the scheme to be successful.

He said the completion of the permanent site of the primary health care board would spur workers to deliver and promised to mobilise more resources to tackle emerging illnesses.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Bem Ageda, said it was set to have quality implantation of the campaign with 1,586 teams to vaccinate over four million people in 243 wards.

According to Ageda, the remaining 34 wards in Vandeikya, Ado and Oju were previously vaccinated during outbreaks.

The Commissioner for Health and Hunan Services, Dr. Godwin Eyiwona, said yellow fever, which started in Ogbadibo Local Government, has spread to Okpokwu and Ado local governments.

He said proactive steps being taken by the Ortom administration to check the outbreak through ongoing immunisation will be a plus for all residents.