By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to repositioning the health sector, describing it as a key pillar of his People First agenda.
The Governor stated this on Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025, during the State Health Sector Colloquium held at the State Library Complex, Calabar, where he was represented by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem.
Addressing stakeholders, Otu said the health sector remains one of the four focal points of his administration, stressing that healthcare delivery is not just a welfare service but a critical driver of economic growth and human development. “Only a healthy citizen can create wealth and drive other indices of development,” he noted.
Highlighting achievements recorded over the past two years, the Governor disclosed that 82 Primary Health Centers have been renovated and equipped across the state’s 18 local government areas, while major milestones have also been achieved in tertiary healthcare. These, he said include the upgrading of dialysis centers in Calabar and Ogoja, the construction of a new General Hospital in Ikom, equipping of the Fistula Center in Calabar, and the accreditation of all four Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery.
Other initiatives mentioned include the Sweet Prince Palliative Healthcare Program, which provides free services to pregnant women, children under five, and citizens aged 70 and above, as well as the operationalization of the State Health Insurance Scheme. The Governor also disclosed that in partnership with UNICEF, a Medical Oxygen Plant is being established at the General Hospitals in Calabar and Ogoja.
With the theme “Transforming Health, Transforming Lives”, the colloquium served as a self-appraisal platform for government and health stakeholders to evaluate progress made in the sector. Otu assured that recommendations from the event would be carefully considered and integrated into ongoing reforms.
He commended participants for their contributions and pledged sustained efforts towards achieving a healthier population and enhancing the well-being of Cross Riverians.