Commissioner Ayuk Lauds World Bank-Supported IMPACT Project for Transforming PHCs in Cross River
By Ebi COLLINS
Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, has commended the World Bank-supported Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project for its transformative role in revitalizing and digitalizing Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state.
Speaking during an oversight inspection tour of the Akim PHC in Calabar Municipality, Dr. Ayuk said the intervention represents a strategic innovation designed to guarantee round-the-clock service delivery at the grassroots.
“This is part of the innovative strategy of the World Bank. It is not meant to address staff accommodation problems, but to make sure services are available 24 hours. If a woman comes in labour, there should be a midwife on ground to attend to her,” the Commissioner explained.
He cited the Nyanghasang PHC as an example where a resident doctor and midwife already ensure uninterrupted healthcare.
Dr. Ayuk emphasized that the project only took off in Cross River because Governor Bassey Otu’s administration promptly met all the World Bank’s preconditions. He described this as “a classical achievement” within his two years in office.
The Commissioner also pledged that the state government will sustain the gains of the initiative by strengthening staff capacity, maintaining infrastructure, and promoting long-term sustainability.
Speaking on behalf of Project Manager Dr. Paul Odey, the Deputy Project Manager of IMPACT, Ekaette Ekpenyong, applauded Dr. Ayuk for championing government buy-in and ensuring the timely release of counterpart funding.
She remarked: “Once you see the Commissioner, you see IMPACT; and once you see IMPACT, you see the Commissioner.”
Ekpenyong further introduced the Commissioner to one of the 196 skilled birth attendants recruited under the project to provide maternal delivery services across all 196 wards of the state.
Also speaking, Mr. Ifere Obeten, Behavior Change Communication Specialist for IMPACT, highlighted how the project now provides monthly data support to PHCs for real-time reporting.
“Before IMPACT, facilities had difficulty sending accurate reports. Today, with computers, internet access, and dedicated support funds, PHCs can upload real-time data, ensuring timely decision-making and eliminating the old delays of hardcopy submissions,” Obeten explained.
Director of the Local Government Health Authority in Calabar Municipality, Bassey Ndehe Effiong, praised the Commissioner’s effective oversight and collaboration with the primary healthcare sub-sector, noting that his leadership has significantly improved healthcare delivery in the state.
She assured that the renovated facilities under her jurisdiction will be put to optimal use for the benefit of residents of Calabar Municipality and Cross River at large.
