In an interface with journalists, the Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, discussed the key initiatives of his ministry, outlining the different programmes, projects, and policies in place, and addressed questions and feedback from the reporters.
Over the past year since taking office as the state’s health commissioner, Egbe has highlighted that the current administration has implemented a policy to revamp deteriorating healthcare facilities and build new ones in order to enhance service delivery.
“Today, facilities that were hitherto moribund have returned to life, providing basic health services to Cross Riverians, especially in the rural areas. The most vocal statement in infrastructure development by the Otu-led administration was the approval of Four Hundred and Seventy Million Naira (N470,000,000) for the speedy construction of the General Hospital Ikom.
Ayuk noted that the current administration took over a health sector struggling with only about 20 doctors and insufficient personnel in state employment. He emphasised that now the state’s secondary healthcare system is on the verge of a complete revival in the workforce, thanks to the recent government approval to hire 33 doctors, 22 pharmacists, and 153 nurses.
“Various communities in the state are benefiting from free medical outreach programmes, particularly those aimed at vulnerable groups. This initiative is enhanced by the collaboration with Zipline Logistics Company for the delivery of medical supplies.
“In a bid to exterminate quackery and enthrone health quality, the Health Quality and Anti-Quackery Taskforce was inaugurated. This body, since its formation, has recorded several successes by clamping down on illegal, unfit, and unregistered health facilities and their perpetrators in the state.
“The present administration does indeed prioritise the need for mobilisation of resources for health sector development, having secured World Bank assistance for the IMPACT Project to revitalise another 196 PHC facilities and state appropriation to fund health palliative programmes in all LGAS.
“Under my leadership, we have endeavoured to block revenue leakages, redirecting funds to the upgrade of health facilities.
Among many notable achievements, the Commissioner asserted that the state government has deployed 36 motorcycles into the hinterlands to monitor health developments as part of efforts to curb the menace of cholera and tuberculosis in Cross River State.
“For the first time in history, the TBL and HIV units got brand new Hilux vehicles for TBL and HIV activities in the state. The state TB programme got 36 motorcycles for the 18 LGA TBLS and their assistants.
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