Cross River Charts Bold Vision for Health Reform at Sector-Wide Strategy Workshop
By Ebi COLLINS
Cross River State has taken a decisive step toward overhauling its healthcare delivery system, as stakeholders, government officials, and development partners gathered for a transformative four-day Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) Capacity Building Workshop in Calabar from Tuesday, July 8 to Friday, July 11, 2025.
The high-level strategy session, convened by the Federal Ministry of Health through its SWAp Coordination Office, marked a pivotal moment for the state’s health sector, laying the groundwork for integrated planning, smarter investments, and results-driven policy reforms.
Bringing together actors from across the health ecosystem, including government agencies, international partners, and non-governmental organizations—the workshop served as a crucible for fresh ideas, collaborative problem-solving, and systems-level thinking aimed at aligning Cross River’s priorities with national development goals.
Addressing participants at the workshop, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, declared the gathering “a turning point” for the state’s health journey.
With a tone that blended urgency and optimism, Dr. Ayuk challenged stakeholders to move beyond short-term fixes and embrace long-term structural reforms.
“You can identify hundreds of problems,” he noted, “but you must ask: which one do I start with?”
He introduced the “Five Whys” method, a diagnostic tool that peels back layers of complexity to reveal root causes, and urged managers to apply it rigorously when confronting persistent dysfunctions in the system, from poor staff morale to inefficient service delivery.
“The real problems are not always visible. Many lie beneath the surface,” he said.
“This is why we must stop treating symptoms and start fixing systems.”
Dr. Ayuk emphasized that true reform requires synergy across all six WHO health system building blocks: governance, financing, human resources, service delivery, information systems, and medical products. He also previewed “Project Hope”, a forthcoming large-scale initiative aimed at revitalizing public health in the state.
“Before we launch such an ambitious project, we must understand what a strategic healthcare system looks like, and how all components must function in harmony.”
Echoing the Commissioner’s message, Mr. Casmir Ugbong, Director of Health Research and Statistics in the Ministry of Health and Cross River’s SWAp Focal Person, described the workshop as both timely and transformative.
“The tools we have received are practical, strategic, and actionable. Our challenge now is implementation; turning insights into impact,” he said.
Key development partners also expressed strong support for Cross River’s reform path.
Dr. Yakubu Aliyu, UNFPA Program Specialist, praised the state’s openness to collaboration:
“UNFPA remains committed to supporting strategic partnerships that strengthen Cross River’s health system and improve outcomes nationwide.”
Representing the World Health Organization, Dr. Gloria Archibong urged participants to fully own the process.
“This is not just a workshop—it’s a roadmap. Let us ensure it’s one we walk together.”
Mr. Andrew Ushie of Evidence Action reaffirmed their long-standing support for child health through school-based deworming programs, stating: “Since 2016, we’ve supported interventions across Nigeria. This engagement aligns us more closely with the state’s evolving health priorities.”
Mr. Israel Nwakalor of Marie Stopes International highlighted their footprint in all 18 LGAs:
“This forum strengthens our synergy with government. We’re fully committed to supporting reproductive health and family planning services at scale.”
Contributions also came from Mrs. Roseline Obojor-Odey, Director of Nursing Services, and Esther Ogar of Heartland Alliance, who lauded the Ministry’s inclusive approach and urged continued momentum.
“We have seen what’s possible when partners and policymakers come to the table with shared purpose,” they said said.
As the workshop concluded, one message rang clear: the era of fragmented efforts is over. Cross River is embracing a more unified, evidence-based, and accountable approach to health reform, one that places people at the center and progress at the forefront.
