By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers in responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges during emergencies.
The collaboration was unveiled during a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health in Emergencies (SRHiE) and Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE), hosted by the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services in Makurdi.
The training brought together midwives, nursing educators and academic staff from key health training institutions across the state. It is designed to develop a pool of highly skilled trainers who will equip future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond effectively to sexual and reproductive health needs and gender-based violence in humanitarian and emergency settings.
Declaring the training open, the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche, reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to building a resilient, responsive and people-centred healthcare system.
He said the state government has continued to prioritise investments in healthcare, capacity building and strategic partnerships aimed at improving the quality of healthcare service delivery across Benue State.
According to the commissioner, UNFPA’s intervention is both timely and strategic, especially as the state continues to strengthen its preparedness for humanitarian and public health emergencies.
Dr. Ogwuche noted that Benue, like many other states in Nigeria, continues to face significant health challenges, including maternal and child mortality, adolescent pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health concerns, and gender-based violence.
He stressed that addressing these challenges requires a well-trained healthcare workforce capable of delivering quality, compassionate and evidence-based care under all circumstances.
The commissioner commended UNFPA for its sustained partnership with the Benue State Government and urged participants, particularly those involved in training future healthcare professionals, to maximise the opportunity by acquiring practical knowledge that would enhance teaching, mentorship and clinical practice in their institutions.
He also assured UNFPA of the state’s continued commitment to achieving shared goals of reducing preventable maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence and ensuring universal access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, the Lead Facilitator, Dr. Danladi Idrisa, who represented the UNFPA Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Chris Sabum, said the organisation remains committed to supporting the Benue State Government’s ongoing reforms and investments in the health sector.
He explained that UNFPA aims to strengthen institutional capacity by equipping healthcare workers with the competencies required to prevent, identify and effectively manage cases of gender-based violence while ensuring uninterrupted access to quality sexual and reproductive health services during emergencies.
Dr. Idrisa said the selection of the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences and the Benue State University College of Health Sciences was deliberate because both institutions play a critical role in training nurses, midwives and medical doctors who provide healthcare services within and beyond the state.
He expressed confidence that integrating these competencies into pre-service education would have a lasting impact on healthcare delivery in Benue State.
Also speaking, the Provost of the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences, Makurdi, Mrs. Victoria Gusa, thanked UNFPA for selecting the institution to participate in the programme.
She described the training as a landmark intervention that would significantly enhance the capacity of lecturers and clinical instructors responsible for producing the next generation of nurses and midwives.
Mrs. Gusa noted that gender-based violence has become a major public health and social challenge requiring knowledgeable and well-equipped healthcare professionals.
She expressed confidence that the programme would provide participants with contemporary knowledge and best practices that would improve healthcare education, clinical practice and service delivery across the state.
The training further highlights the growing partnership between the Benue State Government and UNFPA in strengthening resilient health systems, enhancing emergency preparedness and ensuring that women, children and other vulnerable populations receive quality healthcare services during humanitarian crises.
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