The Cross River State Government has accelerated its healthcare modernization drive with the ongoing digitization of services at the General Hospital, Calabar, a strategic initiative aimed at creating a more efficient, data-driven and patient-centred healthcare system.
As part of efforts to assess the progress of the project, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, on Tuesday, conducted a high-level oversight visit to the General Hospital, Mary Slessor Avenue, Calabar, to review the status of ongoing digital health infrastructure deployment and facility modernization works.
The visit focused on evaluating the integration of a centralized digital data management system designed to improve patient care, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen healthcare administration within the facility.
During the inspection, the Commissioner was taken on a comprehensive tour of the project by the Chief Executive Officer of Healthstack Solutions, Dr. Simpa Dania, alongside the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dr. Kelechi Okoro, the Ministry of Health’s Digital Health Focal Person, Mr. Alphonsus Ibor, and other key officials.
The inspection covered various departments of the hospital where advanced networking infrastructure and data cabling installations are currently underway to support the digital transformation programme.
Addressing clinical leads and departmental heads after the tour, Dr. Ayuk directed all units of the hospital to ensure full compliance with the new digital protocols upon rollout, stressing that the success of the initiative would depend largely on institutional commitment and adherence to the new system.
“The future of healthcare is digital, and Cross River State is taking deliberate steps to position itself at the forefront of that transformation. This project will improve patient management, strengthen data-driven decision-making, enhance service delivery and support our vision of building a responsive, efficient and patient-centred healthcare system for the people of Cross River State,” the Commissioner stated.
The inspection also covered ongoing rehabilitation works at the hospital, including the renovation of the main entrance and the General Outpatients Department (GOPD), which are expected to reduce patient congestion and improve workflow efficiency for healthcare personnel.
Dr. Ayuk reaffirmed that the digitization project and infrastructure upgrades remain central to the healthcare reform agenda of Governor Bassey Otu’s administration, which is focused on improving service delivery through innovation and technology.
The Commissioner commended the Healthstack Solutions team and officials of the Ministry of Health for their professionalism and dedication to the project, expressing confidence that the initiative would significantly improve healthcare delivery and position Cross River among the leading states in digital health innovation.
Providing a technical briefing during the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of Healthstack Solutions, Dr. Simpa Dania, outlined the architectural and technological scope of the project, including the installation of advanced networking systems and backend integration across the hospital’s service points.
He also updated the Commissioner on the implementation timeline and progress made in deploying the digital infrastructure required to support the centralized health data system.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Dr. Kelechi Okoro emphasized the importance of data-driven healthcare in modern medical practice.
“Reliable data is critical for informed decision-making, effective patient management, resource allocation and the overall improvement of service delivery. This partnership is aimed at fostering a more resilient healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes evidence-based planning and improved health outcomes,” she said.
By Kingsley Agim and Jessica Ubi
