Otu Unleashes New Wave of Hospital Revamp Across Cross River
By Ebi COLLINS
Governor Bassey Edet Otu has unleashed a new wave of hospital revitalization across Cross River State with the approval of funds for the renovation of General Hospital, Ukem, Cottage Hospital, Oban, and the commencement of civil works at the abandoned General Hospital complex in Akpabuyo.
The fresh intervention signals the administration’s determination to consolidate gains recorded in the health sector and extend ongoing reforms beyond primary healthcare facilities to secondary healthcare institutions across the state.
Announcing the development while briefing journalists in Calabar, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, said the projects form part of Governor Otu’s broader agenda to rebuild public healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality medical services for all Cross Riverians.
He noted that the latest approvals come on the heels of the successful revitalization of over 100 primary healthcare centres across the state within the last two years, a feat that has significantly strengthened healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
According to the Commissioner, the administration is now turning its attention to general and cottage hospitals as part of efforts to establish a seamless and efficient healthcare system capable of meeting the growing needs of residents.
“Governor Bassey Edet Otu has approved the release of funds to commence the renovation of General Hospital, Ukem, and Cottage Hospital, Oban, as well as civil works at the abandoned General Hospital complex in Akpabuyo. This is part of the administration’s determined effort to revamp public hospitals across the state following the massive and successful revitalization of over 100 primary healthcare facilities achieved within the past two years,” Ayuk stated.
The Commissioner dismissed claims that the government was neglecting the health sector, describing such assertions as politically motivated and contrary to the realities of ongoing investments and reforms.
“The Governor began by increasing fiscal allocation to the health sector by more than 100 percent from what he inherited. He lifted the embargo on employment and brought in over 2,000 health workers to strengthen service delivery. He approved a 100 percent salary increase for doctors, enhanced allowances for health personnel and signed into law the establishment of the Hospital Management Board. No government undertaking these reforms can be accused of neglecting the health sector,” he said.
Ayuk maintained that the administration’s investments in infrastructure, manpower development and workers’ welfare have laid a solid foundation for sustainable healthcare delivery across the state.
He added that the establishment of the Hospital Management Board has further strengthened the institutional framework for managing public hospitals and improving service efficiency.
The Commissioner assured residents that the ongoing healthcare transformation would eventually cover all public healthcare facilities in the state, stressing that no community would be left behind in the reform process.
He reaffirmed Governor Otu’s commitment to building a modern, resilient and accessible healthcare system capable of delivering quality medical services to citizens in every part of Cross River State.
