06/02/2026
The last phase of the Chronic Ulcers and Treatment and Diagnosis (CUTDIA) Project continued with a courtesy visit to the Ter Ushongo, represented by Mue Ter Mbagwa, HRH Augustine Gema Alu, where he commended the research and asked for further collaborations to see that the issue of chronic ulcers end in Benue State. There were Church engagements in Ushongo and Konshisha LGAs, and a visit to the acting Ter Ikyor, HRH Emmanuel Terdoo Akpoughul, where he noted that the disease has wrecked lives and homes and a possible solution will help the LGA and State in general.
During the research, hospitals were contacted to be centers of chronic ulcers treatment, in addition to the already existing hospital that was given by the Diocese of Gboko, St Thomas Ihugh. Directors of hospitals and their staff from Kwande, Vandeikya, and Konshisha were invited for training on wound care and hygiene, and protocol development, as part of the outcome for the research. Part of the protocol was targeted at wound care and hygiene for implementation in rural community settings. Although partnering hospitals in Ushongo LGA are yet to be identified; the six hospitals that participated in the wound care and hygiene training and protocol development were:
1. St Thomas Hospital, Ihugh, Vandeikya LGA
2. Shaladoo Hospital, Adikpo, Kwande LGA
3. Ukyaagu Clinic and Maternity, Vandeikya LGA
4. Nyam Ugbeh Hospital, Tongo, Konshisha LGA
5. FMC Outstation, Tongo, Konshisha LGA
6. General Hospital, Tse Agberagba, Konshisha LGA
This research has shown a significant prevalence of chronic ulcers in rural communities, necessitating immediate action.
*CALL TO ACTION*
1. There is a great need to create public awareness in order to reduce the mystic nature attributed to this disease.
2. There is urgent need for the provision of drugs and consumables, improved access to healthcare services, and proper wound care and treatment, to reduce the effect and consequences of these wounds in rural communities.
We thank the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, the Ushongo Health Initiative, the Benue State Ministry of Health, through the TB, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer control programme, the four participating LGAs, all the central Catholic and NKST churches in Kwande, Vandeikya, Ushongo and Konshisha, the Research Assistants who are now Health Ambassadors in the State and are linking individuals with chronic ulcers to proper treatment, and the Board of Ave Health Sense Limited, for the support given to see that this research was successfully conducted.
