The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery, as Governor Bassey Edet Otu commissioned a newly constructed health centre at Egbe-Mbube in Ogoja Local Government Area, while his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, announced a personal intervention to adopt 1,000 indigenes of Mbube for enrolment in the state health insurance scheme.
Odey, who represented Governor Otu at the commissioning on Saturday, said the twin interventions reflected the administration’s commitment to bringing quality and affordable healthcare closer to rural and underserved communities.
The Deputy Governor explained that his decision to personally adopt 1,000 Mbube indigenes for enrolment in the health insurance scheme was aimed at complementing the newly commissioned health facility and ensuring that beneficiaries could access quality healthcare without the burden of out-of-pocket payments at the point of service.
Odey described grassroots healthcare as a key component of Governor Otu’s People First agenda, assuring the people that government would continue to prioritise interventions capable of improving access to essential healthcare services and reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for medical attention.
He commended the traditional rulers and people of Egbe-Mbube for their patience, cooperation and support throughout the process of siting and constructing the facility, noting that effective collaboration between government and traditional institutions remained critical to the success and sustainability of community development projects.
Speaking specifically on the newly commissioned facility, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, explained that the health centre was equipped to provide essential primary healthcare services, including maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, antenatal care and treatment of common ailments.
Dr. Vivien said the facility would strengthen healthcare delivery in Egbe-Mbube and surrounding communities, noting that its improved infrastructure would make essential medical services more accessible and reduce the need for residents to travel long distances in search of healthcare. She added that the agency would continue to provide the necessary technical support to ensure that the facility effectively fulfils its mandate.
On the Deputy Governor’s personal intervention to adopt 1,000 Mbube indigenes into the state health insurance scheme, the Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Chief Goddy Iyala, described the gesture as a significant boost to healthcare access in the community.
Iyala said the enrolment would provide the 1,000 beneficiaries with financial protection against healthcare costs, enabling them to access covered medical services without bearing the full burden of payment at the point of care. He commended Deputy Governor Odey for the gesture and called on well-meaning Cross Riverians and residents of the state to borrow a leaf from his example by supporting initiatives that make healthcare more affordable and help protect ordinary citizens from the catastrophic consequences of out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare services.
Representatives of the traditional rulers, women and youth groups commended Governor Otu for prioritising the health and well-being of the people, while expressing particular appreciation to Deputy Governor Odey for his personal intervention in adopting 1,000 Mbube indigenes into the health insurance scheme.
They described the health centre and the insurance intervention as significant investments in the welfare of the community and pledged their continued support and prayers for the success of the Otu-led administration.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area, Hon. Chris Agbeh; Chief Peter Ojie; Prof. Margaret Opiah; Head of Personal Staff to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Chris Ojikpong; traditional rulers, government officials, party faithful, women and other stakeholders.
