The health sector in Cross River State has experienced massive infrastructural and human resource development since the inception of the Otu led administration, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the commissioner for health has stated.
Dr. Ayuk made the vehement claim during a media parley with pressmen in his office in Calabar to mark his one year in office as commissioner for health.
Dr. Ayuk hinted that when he took over as commissioner for health, he met a dilapidating health sector where even international donors and partners were leaving the state with only about 20 doctors in the state employ.
"Upon assumption of office, we had to work in-line with the 'People First' mantra of the governor Otu led administration with the aim of improving the overall well-being of the citizens, hence the government's priority for an improved health sector.
"Today after one year in office, we can boldly say that there is great hope for the health sector in the state with very modest and visible achievements to show," he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the health ministry so far, the commissioner said the ministry has recorded improvements and developments in infrastructure, human resource, access to services, health quality as well as clamp down on quacks.
The public health physician declared that the state health sector is at the verge of a total revival as the state governor has given approval for the recruitment of 31 medical doctors, 22 pharmacist and 153 nurses in a bid to enhance productivity and service delivery in public secondary health facilities across the state.
"Today, facilities that were moribund especially in the rural areas have returned to life with 196 primary health centers being mapped out for interventions which will begin at the end of this quarter. The governor has also approved a total of N470,000,000 for the speedy completion of the general hospital at Ikom while the Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial hospital that was vandalized during the ENDSARS protest has been fully renovated.
"The present administration has also improved the funding of our institutions of nursing sciences and midwifery which has caused them to receive accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and other relevant regulatory academic bodies.
"We have improved our services with the use of modern equipments in our facilities. So far, the general hospital Calabar boast of a modern fistula unit and a new oxygen plant, we are expecting the arrival of digital x-ray machines to aid TB diagnosis, with the aid of ZIPLINE drone technology, we have been able to distribute drugs to hard to reach rural areas in the state" Ebaye added.
The commissioner however thanked the governor for his commitment to improved health services while assuring that the health ministry will continue to work assiduously towards the total revamping of the sector.
Missang Akpet, Beagle News
