Cross River Assembly Advances Medical Residency Sponsorship Bill
By Ekanem Asuquo
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a legal framework for the structure and administration of the Medical Residency Training Sponsorship Programme in the state.
The bill aims to institutionalize the funding and standardization of residency training for medical professionals, with the goal of strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce.
While leading debate on the proposed legislation, the sponsor, Hon. Cyril James Omini of Yakurr One, said the bill is necessary to address long-standing challenges in retaining medical doctors and dental surgeons within the state’s civil and public service. He noted that the programme aligns with the National Residency Training Act of 2017.
Omini explained that the legislation would enhance specialist medical training, improve service delivery in state medical facilities and help mitigate the persistent shortage of doctors in government owned hospitals.
Deputy Leader of the House, Rt Hon Davies Etta of Abi, commended the sponsor, describing the bill as a critical step toward encouraging medical doctors to accept employment with the state upon completing their residency.
Other lawmakers expressed unanimous support for the bill, stressing that strengthening residency training is essential to increasing the number of specialist doctors and improving healthcare worker retention. They added that a sustained sponsorship programme would help curb the rising trend of brain drain, commonly referred to as the Japa syndrome.
Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, praised the sponsor and members for prioritizing legislation that responds to the needs of citizens. He referred the bill to the Committee on Health for further legislative consideration.
