Cross River First Lady Pledges Continued Quality Healthcare for Residents
Ekanem Asuquo
The wife of the Cross River State Governor,Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, wife of the Cross River State Governor, has reaffirmed the state government's unwavering commitment to providing accessible and affordable healthcare services to all residents.
She made this declaration during the flag-off of the seventh edition of her Free Healthcare Services in Calabar, an initiative specifically designed to benefit the Southern Senatorial District.
The outreach, spearheaded by her pet project, Humanity Without Borders, is a "deliberate intervention" aimed at expanding access to quality medical care for underprivileged individuals who often face financial barriers to treatment. "We are committed to providing quality healthcare to our people," Bishop Otu stated, emphasizing the state's intensified efforts to ensure that no citizen is left behind, regardless of their financial status.
The First Lady revealed that the initiative has already delivered vital health services, including surgeries, eye care, and general consultations, to underserved populations across all 18 local government areas of Cross River State. She pledged to vigorously pursue the program's expansion, further increasing its reach and impact
The event also featured the launch of the Mma–Adiaha Cares Health Insurance Scheme and included a one-day orientation and sensitization meeting for wives of LGA chairmen and various women's groups on the ongoing Measles and Rubella Vaccination (MRV) campaign.
Organized in partnership with Faith Care Outreach International (USA) and the Cross River State Ministry of Health, the outreach has achieved significant results, according to Bishop Otu.
These include 2,138 eye care services, 807 dental procedures, 898 laboratory investigations, and over 7,000 general medical consultations, benefiting more than 15,000 individuals statewide. She underscored that the program provides holistic care, encompassing both major and minor surgeries for those most in need.
"The testimonies and transformations we’ve seen are heartwarming," Otu shared, noting that many beneficiaries had lost hope due to financial hardship. Their stories, she said, serve as an inspiration to continue expanding this impactful initiative.
The First Lady's efforts garnered praise from healthcare stakeholders and development partners. Professor Peter Schnatz, Team Lead and CEO of Faith Care International, commended her compassion and leadership, highlighting his organization's 33 years of delivering free healthcare globally. "We are here to share the love of Christ through healing, and to bring hope to the vulnerable," Schnatz stated.
Goodwill messages from Dr. Henry Ayuk, Commissioner for Health; Sir Godwin Iyala, Director General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency; and Dr. Vivian Mesembe, Director General of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, all applauded the First Lady for initiating a program that has restored health, hope, and dignity to countless citizens.
A significant highlight of the event was the decoration of Bishop Eyoanwan Otu as the Brand Ambassador of the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme, an honor that underscores her pivotal role in improving healthcare delivery across the state.
