C'River Health Sector Gets Boosts as Otu Approves Employment of 31 Medical Doctors, 177 Others

Ebi COLLINS

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has granted approval for the employment of 31 medical doctors, 22 pharmacists and 153 nurses in the state's health sector.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, who made the disclosure to newsmen, Wednesday morning, said the development is aimed at addressing the manpower deficit in state-owned health institutions.

Ayuk said the approval is a practical demonstration of the Otu-led administration's commitment to the health and well-being of the people.

According to him, the unprecedented influx of those seeking health services from state-owned public health facilities is as a result of the people's confidence in the renewed vigour in healthcare service delivery by the present administration.

He expressed worry that a state with population of about 3 million people has only 20 doctors and 938 nurses in the state's secondary health facilities.

The public health physician noted that with the "injection of new blood into the health sector through the employment of 31 medical doctors, 22 pharmacists and 153 nurses will in no small measure bridge the human capacity gap in the health ministry and equip the sector with the necessary manpower to carry out clinical activities in public health facilities across the state.

"We commend the Governor for his gracious approval.

The new medical personnel would strengthen the workforce and greatly impact on healthcare service coverage as well further make possible the overarching necessity for availability, accessibility and quality of healthcare as the highest attainable standard which health depends on.

"We wish to inform the public that the Governor's approval has been transmitted to the State Planning Commission, Office of the Head of Service, and the Civil Service Commission for immediate commencement of the employment process."