Lawrence Henshaw Hospital Remains Functional, Services Expanded — Govt
By Ebi COLLINS
The Cross River State Government has dismissed recent social media reports alleging neglect and poor conditions at Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, Calabar South, insisting that the facility remains functional and is undergoing steady expansion of services under ongoing reforms.
The clarification was made, Tuesday, during an inspection of the hospital by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, who said the facility is actively delivering healthcare services while undergoing phased rehabilitation and upgrade works.
Dr. Ayuk said contrary to claims circulating online, the hospital is not abandoned, noting that medical personnel, including doctors and support staff, are on ground providing care to patients.
“The staff are here. Doctors are here. Sometimes we have up to three or four doctors working here,” he said, adding that the facility is being repositioned as a functional general hospital for Calabar South.
He explained that the hospital, originally established as a specialised centre for tuberculosis, HIV and other infectious diseases, has expanded its services to include antenatal care, caesarean sections, surgeries, inpatient care and general outpatient services.
According to him, the hospital operates a community-based management system for tuberculosis patients, where many are treated within their communities and only visit the facility for reviews or complications.
“That is why people may come here and see empty beds, but it does not mean patients are not being managed,” he said.
Dr. Ayuk also dismissed claims that non-governmental organisations are solely responsible for activities at the hospital, stressing that government staff work jointly with development partners to deliver healthcare services.
“There is nothing like NGOs carrying out the only activities here. Government staff are working together with partners,” he said.
He attributed some of the infrastructural challenges at the facility to vandalism suffered during the 2020 EndSARS unrest, which affected laboratories, wards and other critical sections of the hospital.
The Commissioner said rehabilitation work is ongoing, including reconstruction of damaged structures and upgrading of diagnostic and clinical facilities as part of a phased health sector recovery plan.
The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Ndoma Lifu, said the facility currently has more than 80 staff members and continues to expand its clinical services despite past challenges.
He described the social media reports alleging neglect as misleading, insisting that the hospital remains functional and is recording steady improvements in service delivery.
Also speaking, the Head of Laboratory Services, Mrs. Rose-Ann Bassey, said the tuberculosis reference laboratory remains operational while optimisation efforts are ongoing to enhance efficiency.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mr. Nsa Gill, urged members of the public to verify information before sharing reports capable of undermining confidence in public health facilities.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the health sector through sustained investment, partnerships, and phased rehabilitation of key health infrastructure across the state.
Recent social media reports had alleged that the hospital was in a state of neglect and largely dependent on non-governmental organisations, claims government officials have dismissed.
