FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES BILL: A NEW DAWN FOR HEALTHCARE IN BENUE STATE
By Comfort Chukwukelue
In a bold move to revolutionize healthcare and medical education in Nigeria’s North Central region, Hon. David Agada Ogewu has sponsored a bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Biomedical Sciences in Oju, Benue State. The bill, officially known as A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Biomedical Sciences Oju, Benue State and for Related Matters (HB. 162), was first read on July 19, 2023, in the House of Representatives.
During an interview with Journalists in his office at the National Assembly Complex, Hon. Ogewu emphasized the dire need for a tertiary medical institution in Oju/Obi Federal Constituency. He highlighted that the region lacks sufficient healthcare infrastructure and professional medical personnel, making access to quality medical services a major challenge.
“Access to comprehensive, quality healthcare services is vital for promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing diseases, and reducing unnecessary disability and premature deaths. Unfortunately, Oju/Obi lacks the necessary infrastructure to provide these services,” he stated.
Hon. Ogewu pointed out that Oju/Obi serves as a strategic geographical link to several neighboring states, including Cross River, Ebonyi, and Enugu. Yet, despite its economic and cultural significance, the region has no federal tertiary health institution to cater to its growing population.
The proposed Federal University of Biomedical Sciences aims to:
• Bridge the manpower gap in the local health sector by training world-class medical professionals.
• Establish modern research facilities to address health challenges affecting Nigeria.
• Provide emergency, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services to Oju/Obi and surrounding communities.
• Reduce the maternal and child mortality rate in the region.
• Create employment opportunities and drive socio-economic growth in Benue State.
• Ensure medical standards align with international best practices.
Hon. Ogewu strongly believes that with a world-class biomedical sciences university, Nigerians will no longer need to travel abroad for medical treatment.
“With a standard medical university, running abroad for medical checkups will be a thing of the past. This institution will provide top-tier medical training and research, ensuring that Nigerians receive the best healthcare at home,” he asserted.
When asked if there is any existing structure that can be converted in other to cut costs, He acknowledged that there are few which includes the abandoned colonial buildings in Oju, which could be repurposed to support the new university, making infrastructure development less of a financial burden.
The lawmaker passionately urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the bill’s second reading, stressing its significance not only for his constituency but for Nigeria as a whole.
“This bill is not just about Oju/Obi; it is about improving healthcare in Nigeria. A government that prioritizes the health of its citizens understands that health is wealth. I am even willing to invest my personal resources to make this dream a reality,” he pledged.
If passed into law, the Federal University of Biomedical Sciences, Oju, will mark a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. It will provide quality medical education, enhance healthcare delivery, and create job opportunities, ultimately contributing to national development.
For Hon. Ogewu and the people of Oju/Obi, this bill represents hope, progress, and a new chapter in healthcare excellence.
