Gov. Otu's Health Sector Revamp Receives NMA Applause
By Ebi COLLINS
Governor Bassey Otu's efforts to revamp the health sector in Cross River have received praise from the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
The NMA said the Governor's tireless puissance for an improved health sector and the achievements recorded so far have been impressive.
The Cross River NMA's plaudits were conveyed through its Chairman, Dr. Ezoeke Epoke, during a congratulatory visit by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk to the new Executives of the Association, recently, in Calabar.
The NMA Chairman praised the Governor's unflinching resolve towards recovering the State's healthcare from its sorry past through deliberate efforts to strengthen human resources, anti quackery and health quality, and improvements in fiscal allocations for the sector as well as health access for vulnerable populations of the State, adding that the present administration is laying a solid foundation for a healthcare system that would be free from the usual hiccups that had plagued it over the years.
Dr. Epoke also appreciated the Government for paying up to 80 percent CONMESS salary policy to doctors. He however appealed to government to further address other relevant issues in order to improve health sector performance in the in the core areas as health insurance, supervision of medical services, remuneration of health personnel and posting of consultants and resident doctors to general hospitals across the State.
In his response, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk congratulated the NMA Executives on their emergence as leaders of the esteemed professional body. He expressed delight in the warm reception he received and praises showered on his principal, the Governor.
Dr. Ayuk told the NMA that apart from coming to congratulate the new team, his visit was to also appreciate the wonderful working relationship the State government has enjoyed with the NMA for the past one year and counting.
He assured the NMA that the Governor will continue to listen to the NMA in addressing the concerns on re-establishing internship and residency training at the General Hospital Calabar as well as improved remuneration for health staff.
"Under infrastructure development, the Otu-led administration, through partnership with international donors, the Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, which was vandalized during the ENDSARS protest in 2020, has renovated; and approval of N470 million for the completion of the General Hospital in Ikom.
"In human resource development, the state is currently recruiting 31 medical doctors, 22 pharmacists, and 153 nurses to enhance productivity and service delivery in public secondary health facilities. Funding has significantly improved, too, for general upgrade of health facilities for optimal services delivery," the Commissioner highlighted.
The visit climaxed with a symbolic cutting of cake to mark the Commissioner's belated birthday.
