Ortom donates N5m, directs upgrade of facilities at Gboko hospital

Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, has directed the ministry of housing and urban development to immediately commence the process of upgrading facilities at the General Hospital, Gboko.

Governor Ortom, who gave the directive on Tuesday when he paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital, said the move was in line with his administration’s proactive approach to improving the health sub-sector, particularly the prevention of COVID-19.

He stated that the upgrade of facilities would also be carried out in other general hospitals across the state as resources would permit and directed the same ministry to urgently undertake a needs assessment of the hospital and brief him.

Ortom, who inspected the coronavirus quarantine/treatment centre at the hospital, was impressed with the level of preparedness by the management of the hospital in collaboration with the COVID-19 action committee in Gboko Local Government Area headed by the caretaker Chairman, Jacob Iorver.

“I therefore, made a personal donation of N5 million to enable the hospital complete work on the block which was designated as COVID-19 quarantine unit,” Ortom said.

He urged residents of Gboko and other citizens of the state to adhere to the preventive measures against the virus such as frequent hand washing, the use of sanitizers and social distancing.

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Ortom had earlier inspected work on the Tor Tiv palace in Gboko, where he gave assurances that the project would soon be completed, to enable the Tiv paramount ruler relocate to his permanent palace.

Governor Ortom, who was received by Chairman of the company handling the palace project, Asema Achado, was accompanied by some key government appointees, the President-General, Mdzough u Tiv, Chief Iorbee Ihagh and Chief Sebastine Hon (SAN).