Days Of Deplorable Healthcare Services Over In C-River – Gov Otu Assures
- Health Commissioner says no more room for decaying facilities
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Courtesy of visible steps already being taken to revamp dilapidated healthcare facilities across the State, Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River has recorded impressive milestones in the health sector within his first 100 days in office.
This is as the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Egbe Ayuk assured that the days of deplorable healthcare services are over for good with effective stakeholders’ partnership to be exploited in ensuring General Hospitals become centres of excellence across the State that deliver efficient and affordable medical services to the people.
Dr Ayuk delivered the cheering news in Calabar, the State capital while disclosing that based on critical needs assessment, the governor has already approved the opening of an employment corridor for qualified medical personnel.
According to him; this is an invaluable step towards boosting the health sector in a bid to revamp and promote an effective healthcare delivery system in the state
Dr Ayuk, who spoke while briefing newsmen on the activities of his Ministry within the Governor’s first 100 days in office, said it is disheartening to observe the dilapidated healthcare facilities on the ground hitherto, assuring that with the impressive strides so far recorded in such a short period, the State health sector is already enjoying a new lease of life.
He maintained that no efforts would be spared in ensuring Cross River is effectively repositioned to achieve consolidated development goals in the overall interest and improved welfare of the people
Dr Ayuk, while lamenting that gloom was almost everywhere due to the deplorable healthcare conditions that existed on ground, disclosed that quite unbelievably, there were less than 24 medical doctors on the State government’s payroll as of May 29, 2023.
Wondering how such a pitiable state of the healthcare delivery system could adequately take care of the people’s needs and expectations, Dr Ayuk said the gloomy days are over as Governor Otu is proactive in pursuing the people-first health policy mantra.
The Commissioner said being drafted from the private sector to serve the State, he would do everything possible to ensure the present administration’s laudable goals as it affects the health sector are achieved for the overall good of all Cross Riverians.
Dr Ayuk promised to bring his wealth of experience from the international interventionist approach in health promotion and management to bear in ensuring effective service delivery in the State’s Healthcare system
He said arrangements have been concluded to ensure that all General Hospitals across the 18 local government areas function at optimum capacity through a well-coordinated partnership arrangement with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar.
