The Cross River State Head of Service, Mr. Orok Bassey Okon has restated the State Government’s commitment to the welfare of medical doctors and other health personnel, assuring the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) of continued collaboration towards strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
Okon gave the assurance when he received the NMA State Working Committee, led by its Chairman, Dr. Pius Agweye, on a courtesy visit to discuss issues affecting medical personnel and the delivery of healthcare services in the state.
The Head of Service expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit, saying he was impressed by the activities of the committee and its efforts to engage government constructively on matters affecting medical professionals.
He acknowledged some of the concerns presented by the NMA, particularly those relating to welfare and recruitment. He expressed optimism that the engagement would produce positive outcomes.
According to him, sustained dialogue between government and professional bodies was necessary to address emerging challenges in the health sector and ensure that policies and interventions were responsive to the needs of both healthcare workers and residents.
Okon assured the delegation that government would continue to engage with the NMA, stressing that collaboration remains critical to improving efficiency, professionalism and sustainability in healthcare delivery.
“We appreciate your concerns and the issues you have brought forward. We will continue to engage and collaborate with you because the health sector requires the collective efforts of government and professionals to achieve sustainable progress,” he said.
Earlier, the NMA Chairman, Dr. Pius Agweye, outlined some of the concerns of medical doctors in the state, including improved welfare, recruitment of additional doctors, payment of outstanding allowances and opportunities for professional development.
Agweye stressed the need for increased recruitment to address manpower shortages and strengthen the capacity of health facilities to provide quality and timely medical services to residents.
He also called for greater opportunities for continuous training and capacity building, noting that professional development would enhance the skills of medical doctors and contribute to improved healthcare outcomes.
The NMA leadership further expressed its commitment to extending medical services to communities across the state, particularly underserved areas, while seeking stronger collaboration with government to address challenges affecting healthcare delivery.
By Anastasia Ekuma
