Foundation Launches Diabetics Clinic In Ikom As Cross River Reactivates Free Medical Scheme For Children

By Jonathan Ugbal

The JOE foundation has launched a clinic to cater specifically for diabetes patients in Ikom local government area of central Cross River State.

The facility; JOE Foundation diabetes clinic will aid the state’s approach to tackling diabetes said the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong.

She said the state will continue seeking collaboration with relevant stakeholders to give Cross Riverians access to better and affordable healthcare.

Dr. Asibong commended the foundation for the initiative.

The founder, Senator John Owan Enoh said that the foundation is happy to partner with the state to fight the disease which he described as deadly.

A partnership agreement will see the collaboration come to fruition beginning from the next World Diabetes Day which is November 14, 2017.

In a related development, Dr. Asibong while on an inspection tour of Bakor hospital in Ikom told newsmen that the state has reactivated the free medical care for children under 5 in the state a sponsored release from the ministry said.

The program began under former Governor Liyel Imoke but was discontinued by the current administration in 2015.

And, Dr. Asibong while inspecting the facility which is owned by the Chairman of the Cross River State Public Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Sylvester Ebaye said the move was necessary to ensure the state achieves Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

But, Dr. Asibong and the Director General of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu have in several fora said the state intends to achieve universal health coverage by the end of 2018.

However, Asibong disclosed that the state health insurance scheme tagged ‘Ayadecare’ which will kick off in the last quarter of the 2017 will compliment the free medical scheme initiative due to the range of packages it offers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ebaye in his remarks said that the state is well prepared for the program after the pilot phase which according to him, provided the team with an opportunity to address shortcomings.