Healthcare Centres Upgrade: C'River IMPACT Project Hands Over Sites to Contractor
By Ebi COLLINS
The Cross River State Government has formally handed over Lot 1 of the World Bank-funded Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project sites to Ryte Reazons Limited, marking a significant step towards revitalizing primary healthcare infrastructure across the state.
The handover ceremony, led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, was conducted on Friday during site visits to two primary healthcare centers (Esierebom and Anderson PHCs) in Wards 8 and 4 of Calabar South Local Government Area. These centers are among the 22 primary healthcare facilities identified for comprehensive upgrades under Lot 1 of the IMPACT Project. The facilities are located across Calabar South, Calabar Municipal, Bakassi, and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas, as part of the government’s strategy to strengthen healthcare delivery.
A World Bank-Backed Initiative for Healthcare Modernization funded by the World Bank, the IMPACT Project is a collaborative effort between the Cross River State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency. Its primary goal is to modernize primary healthcare centers by equipping them with cutting-edge infrastructure, medical equipment, and improved services to meet the health needs of both urban and rural populations.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ayuk highlighted the project's importance as part of the state’s broader healthcare reform agenda. He announced that all four project Lots (Lots 1–4) will begin simultaneously, with completion expected within three months.
"This handover is not only for the contractor but also for the communities and healthcare staff, who play critical roles in ensuring the project’s success," Dr. Ayuk remarked. He urged local government authorities to actively oversee the contractor’s performance and provide regular updates to the IMPACT Programme Manager to ensure accountability and quality assurance.
Reaffirming Commitment to Affordable Healthcare Dr. Paul Odey, the Project Coordinator, emphasized the prioritization of Calabar South as a focal area for intervention, underscoring the government’s commitment to accessible and affordable healthcare. He expressed optimism that the revitalized facilities would significantly enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in areas such as maternal and child health and disease prevention at the grassroots level.
Dr. Odey also commended Governor Bassey Otu for his decisive action in funding the state’s counterpart obligations, which had been previously stalled. This, he noted, restored the confidence of implementing partners and revived the project.
Contractor Selection and Community Collaboration Ryte Reazons Limited, chosen through a competitive bidding process, will oversee the revitalization of the 22 primary healthcare centers under Lot 1.
Community leaders and stakeholders expressed strong support for the contractor and pledged their collaboration to ensure timely project completion. They voiced optimism that the upgraded facilities would significantly improve healthcare access and outcomes for residents across the affected communities.
The IMPACT Project symbolizes a new chapter in Cross River State’s healthcare development, reflecting a shared commitment by the government, implementing partners, and communities to deliver quality healthcare to all.
