By Ushang Ewa
The Cross River State Government says it is going to investigate the Primary Health Care staff at the Obudu Primary Health Center for allegedly detaining a mother of twins for 4 weeks due to her inability to pay bills totaling NGN85,000.
The Director General of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Betta Edu disclosed this in a chat with CrossRiverWatch where she stressed that services rendered at Primary Health facilities are free.
Betta who visited Obudu alongside the Wife of the Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade to launch a women development initiative, paid an unscheduled visit to the facility and upon inquiries discovered that a lady who had birthed twins was charged USD277 (or NGN85,000) despite continuous campaigns by the state that health services rendered in such facilities are free excluding drugs which she said are “highly subsidized.”
In a message to CrossRiverWatch newsroom, Betta said the head of the facility has been directed to refund monies collected and called on people to “blow the whistle” when their rights are being trampled upon.
“The in-charge has been asked to refund the monies to the patient and report to Calabar to face the board where disciplinary actions will be taken in accordance to the law.
“If you are experiencing this in your area, it is time to blow the whistle. Let us cleanse the system. Our people deserve quality health care. It’s their right and not a privilege,” Betta said.
She stressed that the services rendered are for everyone and if steps were not taken to “get it right at this level then the health system will fail” as it is “last hope of the common man.”
Also, she urged residents in the state to call or text to 08054670899 whenever “the health worker in the health center around you doesn’t come to work”, “when you go to a health center and the charge you money for services” and “If the staff is rude to you and doesn’t treat you with respect.”
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