Cross River State has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through strategic alignment with national health reforms as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare commenced data collection and progress evaluation for the mid-term review of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB) 2023–2027 in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, gave the assurance during the opening of the exercise on July 16, 2026, describing the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint as a critical framework for driving coordinated and sustainable health interventions under the Governor Bassey Otu administration’s People First agenda.
“The HSSB serves as a cornerstone for policy implementation. Whether we call it a work plan or a strategic document, it represents a dynamic approach where all activities are brought under one roof. We have adopted this methodology because it mirrors our commitment to the People First agenda. Just as a strong foundation supports a house, our strategic alignment ensures that every intervention, be it in maternal health or public health infrastructure, is both cohesive and sustainable,” Dr. Ayuk said.
The Federal Ministry delegation, led by the Head of the Department of Strategic Planning, Dr. Chukwunonso Egbosi, is in Cross River to facilitate the mid-term review and ensure that the state’s health priorities remain aligned with the national Health Sector Strategic Blueprint.
Dr. Egbosi said the exercise is designed to evaluate implementation progress, identify systemic gaps and ensure that health planning at both the federal and state levels is driven by reliable, real-time evidence. He commended Cross River for its proactive preparations, describing the state’s readiness as a solid foundation for the review process.
The mission also advances the adoption of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), a reform model built on the principles of “One Plan, One Budget, One Report and One Conversation,” aimed at eliminating fragmentation and promoting coordinated planning, financing and implementation across the health sector.
Also speaking, the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Chris Ushuasung, said Cross River’s early preparations and alignment of departmental operations with national standards have positioned the state strongly for the review.
“Our early preparations and the proactive alignment of our departmental operations with national standards have positioned us well for this review. We are fully committed to the Sector-Wide Approach as it strengthens our ability to deliver impactful, evidence-based healthcare,” Ushuasung stated.
The engagement brought together senior officials of the Cross River State Ministry of Health and other strategic stakeholders, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional accountability, evidence-based planning and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (2023–2027) is a key component of the Federal Government’s health reform agenda, aimed at achieving universal health coverage, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure and improving health outcomes for all Nigerians. The ongoing mid-term review is expected to strengthen implementation and ensure that health policies translate into measurable benefits for citizens.
By Kingsley Agim
