Cross River Showcases Health Sector Gains as Exemplar Analysis Project Begins
By Ebi COLLINS
Cross River State has emerged as one of twelve states selected for a comprehensive national review of health sector performance following the inauguration of the Nigeria Health System Exemplar Analysis Project by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The project is designed to document and evaluate health policies, investments, innovations, and outcomes recorded by participating states between 2023 and 2025, with a view to identifying best practices that can inform healthcare reforms across the country.
The inception meeting, held in Calabar, brought together officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, development partners, heads of health institutions, and other stakeholders to harmonize methodologies for assessing and documenting the state’s healthcare achievements.
Declaring the meeting open, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, described Cross River’s selection for the national study as recognition of the state’s remarkable progress in healthcare delivery and the sustained investments made by the administration of Governor Bassey Otu.
He expressed appreciation to development partners and stakeholders for their support over the years, stressing that the state’s inclusion in the project was based on measurable performance indicators and verifiable achievements rather than political considerations.
Dr. Ayuk noted that the government has continued to strengthen healthcare delivery through the recruitment, deployment, and retention of health workers across the state. He dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that public health facilities are poorly equipped or understaffed, maintaining that strategic investments are yielding positive outcomes in service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Offor Jonah Bassey, described the study as a unique opportunity to document the policies, institutional frameworks, and reforms that have enabled the state to overcome longstanding healthcare challenges.
According to him, prudent financial management, improved staff welfare, and strong administrative support have played significant roles in the transformation witnessed within the sector in recent years.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, said increased budgetary allocations to healthcare have facilitated critical interventions, including the upgrade of health facilities, procurement of essential medical equipment and supplies, and the expansion of healthcare services to underserved communities.
He noted that the state’s financial commitment to healthcare continues to translate into tangible improvements in service delivery and access to quality care.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Nursing Education, Mrs. Uduak Spencer, said Cross River’s growing reputation as a leading healthcare destination in Nigeria places a responsibility on stakeholders to sustain the momentum and attract institutions interested in replicating the state’s healthcare model.
She added that people-centred policies have contributed significantly to strengthening nursing services and overall clinical care across the state.
Presenting an overview of the state’s health sector transformation, the Director of Human Resources for Health, Mr. Chris Ushuasung, disclosed that Cross River has deployed Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems in 196 health facilities, introduced autonomous medical drone logistics for the delivery of drugs and medical supplies to hard-to-reach communities, and established an automated Health Workforce Registry to enhance personnel management and planning.
He further revealed that more than 109,340 vulnerable residents have been enrolled under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, enabling them to access free healthcare services and advancing the state’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Representing the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Yetunde Hussein described the Exemplar Analysis Project as a strategic initiative aimed at identifying successful health interventions and generating evidence to guide policy formulation and decision-making at both state and national levels.
She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting states in strengthening their health systems and improving healthcare outcomes for citizens.
The Head of Office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Andrew Kirima, commended Cross River State for its fiscal discipline and consistency in meeting counterpart funding obligations. He disclosed that the state paid ₦96 million in counterpart funding in 2024 and recently remitted another ₦96 million for the current year.
According to him, the commitment has significantly boosted programme sustainability and reinforced the confidence of development partners operating in the state.
Chairman of the Governing Board of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Comfort Ekanem, lauded the state’s achievements and emphasized the need to sustain high standards through effective oversight, accountability, and evidence-based planning.
She also commended the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics for providing the data and technical support required for the analysis of health programmes implemented across the state.
The representative of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mrs. Ekaete Ekpenyong, disclosed that the agency currently oversees 1,028 healthcare facilities across the state, describing primary healthcare centres as the foundation of healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Other stakeholders, including representatives of Marie Stopes International and the Calabar South Traditional Rulers Council, commended the state’s collaborative approach to healthcare development and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services.
