World Bank Hails Cross River for Transformative Healthcare Reforms Under IMPACT Project
By Ebi Collins
The World Bank has lauded the Cross River State Government for its proactive, results-oriented approach to revitalizing primary healthcare delivery through the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project.
During a recent facility inspection visit to Calabar, the Task Team Leader for the IMPACT Project, Mr. Onoriode Ezire, commended Governor Bassey Otu for demonstrating exceptional leadership that led to the state’s inclusion in the multi-state initiative, despite not being originally listed among the beneficiary states.
“Governor Otu deserves commendation. Cross River was not part of the original IMPACT project design, but through his personal commitment to the health and wellbeing of his people, the state was brought on board,” Ezire said. “What we are witnessing today (renovated facilities, deployed health workers, and improved service delivery) is the result of that leadership.”
The World Bank-supported IMPACT Project aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes, expand immunization coverage, and strengthen malaria control. This is being achieved through the upgrade of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), recruitment of frontline health workers, and provision of essential medical supplies.
Ezire disclosed that 82 PHCs across Cross River are currently being upgraded to Level Two status, with each ward now benefitting from at least one skilled birth attendant. “The transformation is impressive. Feedback from staff and patients has been overwhelmingly positive,” he added.
He also emphasized the improved work environment in the facilities, noting that consistent access to electricity and water has significantly boosted healthcare workers’ morale and productivity. “No one wants to work in the dark or without basic amenities. The changes we see now are empowering frontline workers to deliver quality care,” he said.
The World Bank official further applauded the state’s implementation of a performance-based monitoring system, which includes quarterly review meetings involving local government stakeholders. “This approach promotes transparency, accountability, and healthy competition among LGAs—key drivers of sustained improvement in health outcomes,” Ezire noted.
He also singled out the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, for his hands-on leadership. “Dr. Ayuk’s dedication is inspiring. He personally visits facilities, even in remote areas, crossing rivers if necessary to monitor progress. That level of commitment is rare and commendable,” he said.
In his remarks, Dr. Ayuk expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its continued partnership and support. He recounted the state’s rigorous efforts to secure a place in the IMPACT Project. “It took advocacy and persistence, but we knew how important this opportunity was for our people. Today, we are seeing the dividends,” he said.
He stressed the importance of sustainability in healthcare delivery. “Infrastructure and staffing are important, but we must also institutionalize systems that ensure these gains endure beyond the project timeline. That’s why we are focusing on team cohesion, accountability, and local ownership,” Dr. Ayuk explained.
Also speaking, the State Programme Manager of the IMPACT Project, Dr. Paul Odey, revealed that 196 skilled health workers have been deployed across the state’s 196 political wards. “Our data already shows measurable improvements in maternal and child health indicators. This is only the beginning. With sustained commitment, Cross River can set a national benchmark for effective primary healthcare delivery,” he said.
Dr. Odey also underscored the need for a robust sustainability framework. “We’ve built significant momentum. The challenge now is to institutionalize these changes and ensure they are not lost over time,” he added.
Director of the Local Government Health Authority in Calabar Municipality, Mrs. Bassey Effiong, confirmed a marked increase in patient turnout following the renovation of facilities. “These upgrades have made our centres more functional and welcoming. We are deeply grateful to the state government and the World Bank for their support,” she said.
As part of the two-day visit, the World Bank team toured several project sites in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, and held strategic meetings with the State IMPACT Project Coordinating Unit and officials from the Ministry of Health.
At a high-level engagement with the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, the World Bank received renewed assurances of the state government’s commitment to taking full ownership of the project. Odey reaffirmed Governor Otu’s resolve to raise healthcare standards across the state.
“Governor Otu is unwavering in his commitment to the health sector. All ongoing projects will meet expected standards, and we are putting in place an effective sustainability plan to ensure continuous service delivery,” the Deputy Governor assured.
He also commended Dr. Paul Odey for his tenacity and dedication to the success of the IMPACT Project in Cross River.
With tangible transformations already evident across the state, Cross River is fast emerging as a national model for impactful investment in public health infrastructure and service delivery.
