By Our Reporter
Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade yesterday at the main bowl of cultural center complex flagged off the 2016 National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria Annual National Workshop.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Tina Agbor informed the participants of measures taken by Cross River State in the Health sector. Such measures according to her include Community Health Insurance Scheme which is at the advocacy stage and will ensure universal health coverage for all Cross Riverians.
Barrister Agbor noted that Cross River State Government have keyed into the Federal Government policy of one functional primary healthcare center per political ward and revitalization of primary healthcare in the state. According to her several PHC’s have been commissioned so far while some are undergoing refurbishment in the state.
She informed the body that part of the state government obligation and reward for workers in the state was the regular payment of salaries even before due date and the provision of a good working environment as incentives to motivate workers to deliver quality health care to our people.
Speaking earlier, the National President of the organization, Alhaji M.A Tadese thanked the Cross River State Government for the support towards the successful hosting of the workshop while admonishing health practitioners to keep on doing their best until universal health coverage is achieved.
Also speaking was the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong who enjoined the Governor to eulogize the national body for finding Cross River worthy to host the conference. She said the State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade is fully determined to revamp the health sector in the state which has so far recorded tremendous strides.
DG, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu in her remarks recounted all the achievements of Cross River State in the health sector under Senator Ben Ayade as Governor.
The achievements include the transformation of the state primary healthcare department to an Agency to meet up national standard of PHC under one roof. She said the state has already commenced the process of moving all PHC’s workers from LGA’s to the agency under the one management one plan, one accountability system.
“We have built capacity of over 2600 community health practitioners in the state, we have also been holding assessment tour of health facilities and town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders in a bid to sample opinions of people on healthcare service delivery in their respective wards, villages and LGAs.
She said the Wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade in collaboration with the health team have launched her pet projects targeted at improving capacity of community health workers, as well as strengthening the health system in the state to deliver quality health care to all.
Head of UNFPA office in Calabar, Dr. Kenneth Ehouzou hailed the community health workers for always been resilient in their work while noting that his organization will continue to lend support to the country and state with the cooperation of all the health practitioners to achieve universal health coverage for health care especially with emphasis on maternal health, reproductive health/FP and HIV.
High point of the event was the Award presentation to the State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade and his wife Dr. Linda Ayade for their giant strides in the health sector of Cross River state.
Dr. Inyang Asibong, State Commissioner for Health and DG CRSPHCDA, Dr. Betta Edu also received awards for their sterling performance in the state health sector among other recipients.
The workshop opening was a well attended event with over 1000 persons from across the country.