The Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commended the Cross River State Government for its remarkable transformation of the health sector, describing the quality of infrastructure and services at inspected facilities as among the best it has encountered during its national data verification exercise.
The commendation came on Wednesday during an oversight and data verification visit to key health facilities in Calabar by an RMAFC delegation led by the Federal Commissioner representing Ebonyi State, Dr. Henry Mbukpa.
Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Mbukpa said the team was impressed by the standards maintained at the facilities, noting that the exercise had validated the state’s investments in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
“Our team is here for the National Data Verification Exercise. This visit has been a clear validation of the facility’s high standards; we have thoroughly assessed the infrastructure, and it is truly one of its kind. We have scored the facility very high in terms of operational performance and the commendable quality of services we witnessed,” he said.
He further praised the level of commitment demonstrated by health personnel and government officials, stressing that what the team observed went beyond physical structures to a functional healthcare system capable of delivering quality services to residents.
“The level of commitment to service delivery here is impressive; we have not just seen structures, but a functional system that aligns with the growth we expect to see across states,” Mbukpa added.
The inspection team was received by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, alongside other senior government officials, including the Accountant General of Cross River State, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Effiong, and the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu.
Addressing the delegation, Dr. Ayuk described the visit as an important validation of the state’s healthcare reforms, emphasizing that the administration of Governor Bassey Otu remains committed to building a responsive, efficient and patient-centred healthcare system.
“The visit serves as a vital validation of the government’s steadfast performance and strategic investments in the health sector. We remain laser-focused on key performance indicators and development goals to build a responsive, efficient and patient-centred system, and this inspection confirms that our efforts are yielding tangible results for the people of Cross River State,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the state has undertaken a rigorous reform process aimed at standardizing healthcare delivery through infrastructure upgrades, improved oversight mechanisms and the deployment of modern technologies across facilities.
“What we are witnessing today is the culmination of a rigorous reform process aimed at standardizing our healthcare delivery systems to meet contemporary demands. By integrating modern infrastructure with disciplined oversight, we are not just renovating buildings, but effectively rebranding the entire health architecture of Cross River State to ensure that quality care reaches the grassroots without compromise,” Ayuk stated.
He maintained that the administration recognizes health security as a critical driver of economic growth and has therefore moved beyond policy pronouncements to implementing sustainable reforms that will position Cross River as a model for public health service delivery.
Also speaking, the Accountant General of the state, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Effiong, said the verification exercise was important in validating data previously submitted to the commission and would help ensure accurate indices for future revenue allocation formulas.
She noted that recent interventions, including the establishment of a modern oxygen centre and digital administrative units, have significantly improved healthcare standards across the state.
On her part, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, highlighted the extensive investments made in the sector over the last three years.
She disclosed that the government had renovated more than 100 health facilities and recruited over 3,000 health workers to strengthen healthcare delivery and address longstanding infrastructure deficits.
Dr. Otu attributed the achievements to the visionary leadership of Governor Bassey Otu and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining reforms aimed at delivering quality and accessible healthcare services to communities across the state.
By Kingsley Agim and Jessica Ubi
