The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Care Services, Hon. Amos Magaji, has commended the Cross River State Government for its renewed commitment to revitalizing the state’s primary healthcare system, describing the progress recorded so far as “a model of intergovernmental collaboration and consistency in healthcare reform.”
Hon. Magaji made the commendation when he led his committee on a recent inspection visit to several ongoing primary healthcare revitalization projects across the state under the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project, and Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, the lawmaker praised Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for prioritizing citizens’ access to quality and affordable healthcare, noting that the state’s approach aligns with Nigeria’s vision for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
“We have inspected a number of primary health care facilities and seen clear evidence of progress. Cross River is on the right path in revitalizing its primary health system.
The effort here is commendable and, if sustained, every political ward in the state will soon have a functional primary healthcare centre,” Magaji stated.
He explained that the Committee’s oversight visit was to assess the utilization of funds under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and identify challenges confronting the state’s implementation process.
“Some of the challenges we observed, like manpower shortages and hard-to-reach areas, are common across states. We will engage the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and other gateways to review policies and make them more effective,” he added.
The lawmaker assured that issues requiring federal intervention would be addressed by the National Assembly, while state-specific challenges would be duly communicated to the Cross River State Government for appropriate action.
“If the current tempo is maintained, Cross River will soon be a model for other states in delivering grassroots healthcare and achieving universal health coverage for all,” Hon. Magaji remarked.
Responding, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, appreciated Hon. Magaji and his team for their appraisal visit, noting that the inspection was both timely and encouraging.
“What you see on ground today is the result of effective partnerships between the Cross River State Government, the Federal Government, the World Bank, and other development partners,” Dr. Ayuk said.
“In two years of this administration, we have witnessed a drastic transformation in our primary healthcare system, both infrastructurally and administratively.”
The Commissioner highlighted the establishment of a Drug Management Agency as one of the systemic reforms aimed at stabilizing vaccine and medicine supplies to prevent stock-outs, alongside improved coordination between the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
In her remarks, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, disclosed that over 100 primary healthcare facilities have so far been renovated through multiple funding sources, including the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the State Government.
“We met many dilapidated facilities when we came on board, but today, more than 100 have been renovated and revitalized,” Dr. Otu explained.
“We also now have at least two skilled birth attendants stationed in each of the 196 political wards across the state, a huge milestone in ensuring maternal and child health.”
She also acknowledged the support of international partners such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Red Cross, ENSERU, and the Global Fund for contributing to the ongoing reforms.
Providing technical details, the IMPACT Project Manager, Dr. Paul Odey, explained that the project focuses on upgrading facilities from Level 1 to Level 2, ensuring that primary health centres are fully equipped with consulting rooms, delivery suites, wards, functional laboratories, pharmacies, family planning units, and constant power and water supply.
“The IMPACT Project aims to bridge human resource gaps, strengthen systems, and provide quality service delivery for mothers and children under five,” Dr. Odey said.
Among the visiting delegation were Cross River’s Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency and his Odukpani/Calabar Municipality counterpart, Hon. Bassey Akiba.
Kingsley Agim
