AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF Nigeria) has opened a new wellness centre in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The centre will offer free screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
During the launch on Tuesday, July 29, Dr. John Ugboji, the Senior Regional Medical Manager at AHF Nigeria, said the centre is a one-stop place where people can get treatment for STIs and general health support.
He said AHF Nigeria has been working in Benue State since 2011, providing services for people living with HIV.
To make STI services easier to reach, Dr. Ugboji explained that they opened the wellness clinics in both Benue and Abuja. “We started these centres to bring STI care closer to the people,” he said.
He also shared that while offering HIV services, they noticed many people were also suffering from STIs, but there wasn’t enough attention given to this problem.
Although the centre quietly started work in December 2024, they officially launched it now to inform the public. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and offers limited services on Saturdays. All services — from counselling and testing to treatment — are completely free.
Dr. Ugboji added that the centre also offers free cervical cancer screening for women, free condom education and distribution, different types of family planning services, menstrual health education, and free sanitary pads for young girls.
“All these services are provided at no cost,” he emphasized again.
Dr. Ugboji, who also leads the AHF programme in the state, said this is the second AHF wellness centre in Nigeria, after the one in Abuja. He said Benue was chosen because the state holds a special place in the organisation’s heart.
“AHF Nigeria actually started in Benue back in 2011 before moving to Abuja and expanding to other states. So we value Benue greatly. The people here care about their health and the population is large,” he explained.
He said they chose George Akume Way as the location because it is a busy area near the International Market, Benue Links Transport Company, Wurukum park, the Okada riders’ park, and Benue State University. He added that many young people and students live in the nearby Logo 1 and 2 areas, so it would be easier for them to visit the centre without spending much on transport.
Dr. Ugboji happily reported that the rate of HIV in Benue has dropped from 15.7% to 3.4%. He praised the progress made and said they hope to eliminate HIV in the state by the year 2030.
Also speaking at the event, AHF Nigeria’s Marketing and Advocacy Manager, Mr. Steve Aborishade, encouraged people to seek help when they have health problems.
“There’s nothing wrong with getting treatment for STIs,” he said. “When people come here, they will be treated and feel better. STIs spread easily through unsafe sex, so we must encourage everyone to get treated and not feel ashamed.”
Dr. Emmanuel Nwabueze, AHF’s Medical Director, said people don’t need to have an STI to visit the wellness centre. He encouraged the public to come for screening and care. He also shared that new centres will soon be opened in Gboko and other parts of Benue, which will help more people and create jobs for young people.
Wanngo Titus, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Benue State Action Committee on AIDS (BENSACA), thanked AHF for the centre and urged people to use its services well.
Women leader Vagba Nguavese and a community member, Steven Iduh, also expressed their gratitude to AHF. They encouraged people in the area to take advantage of the free services.
Traditional ruler of Logo 1, Zaki Adzande Tersar, thanked the organisation and said the wellness centre would greatly improve the health of his community.
