As part of efforts to enhance efficiency and transparency in healthcare delivery, Cross River State has formalised plans to digitise its health system through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement, signed on April 16, 2026, at the Ministry of Health headquarters, was presided over by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jonah Bassey Offor. The initiative is designed to drive a comprehensive digital transformation of the state’s healthcare architecture in line with national directives.
In his address, Dr. Ayuk described the transition as a critical move toward evidence-based healthcare delivery and improved accountability.
He noted that digitisation would eliminate leakages in the system by ensuring real-time capture of services from patient registration to treatment processes. He stressed that the ministry would not tolerate any form of bureaucracy or resistance capable of slowing down the implementation of the initiative.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jonah Offor, emphasised the importance of collaboration between clinical and administrative units, noting that the success of the project depends on strong institutional synergy. He expressed confidence that the automation of medical records and financial processes would significantly enhance efficiency and service delivery across all 18 local government areas of the state.
Providing insight into the process, the Digital Health Focal Person, Mr. Alphonsus Ibor, explained that the selected technical solution emerged after a rigorous three-month evaluation of proposals. According to him, the chosen platform aligns with the National Health Digital Initiative and has already recorded success during its pilot phase, with 60 healthcare workers trained to support its rollout.
Also speaking, Dr. Kelechi Okorom of HealthStart highlighted the transformative potential of the project, stating that it would improve continuity of care and streamline workflows for healthcare professionals, adding that the system would bring public healthcare delivery closer to the efficiency standards seen in private medical facilities.
On data governance, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, Dr. Chris Ushuasung, emphasized the need for strict protocols to safeguard patient confidentiality and ensure state ownership of medical data.
In response, the technical team assured stakeholders that the platform is built on secure, world-class infrastructure with multi-level access controls to protect sensitive information.
The event drew key stakeholders within the ministry, including the Medical Superintendent of General Hospital, Dr. Kenneth Takim and other senior officials, as well as international partners who reaffirmed their support for the initiative.
Kingsley Agim and Jessica Ubi
