IDP Camp Records 49 Births, 380 Pregnant Women In One Month After Deadly Attack
No fewer than 49 babies have been delivered in one month at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp located at the International Market in Makurdi, Benue State, following the deadly attack on Yelwata community, which forced hundreds of families to flee their homes.
The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary HealthCare Board (BSPHCB), Mrs Grace Ashi Wende, disclosed this during the Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISS) exercise at the camp, where she also revealed that 380 expectant mothers currently residing at the camp are nearing their delivery dates.
According to Wende, the clinic at the camp has witnessed a surge in medical activity, with 490 women receiving antenatal care services within the same period.
She attributed the seamless deliveries and increased healthcare access to the support from the Benue State Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and other United Nations agencies.
“The 49th baby has safely been delivered at the Ultramodern Market IDP camp clinic. Kudos to the multidisciplinary health care team through the collaborative effort of the Benue State Ministry of Health, SPHCB, UNICEF, and other UN agencies and partners,” she said.
Wende also disclosed that the facility had been equipped with a borehole and a 3HP hybrid submersible pump to address water needs, while Save the Children International supplied hygiene kits to improve sanitation and general well-being within the camp.
Providing further data, the Executive Secretary stated that the Makurdi camp currently shelters 2,336 households comprising 5,294 individuals, including 2,536 children and 380 pregnant women.
Between 16th June and 14th July 2025, the clinic recorded 5,511 consultations – with 2,980 adults, 496 adolescents aged 10 to 19, and 2,030 children under nine years receiving medical attention.
She added that while 27 women successfully delivered at the camp’s clinic, another 66 were referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital for further care. Among the antenatal patients were six women living with disabilities.
Wende lamented the growing health burden at the camp and urged the government and humanitarian organisations to sustain their support in order to manage the increasing needs of displaced families.
As of 28th July, she confirmed that 44 patients had been admitted to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital from the camp, with none discharged yet, indicating the complexity of health challenges facing victims of the attack.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
