By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare delivery as stakeholders reviewed notable progress recorded across the state at the First Quarter Meeting of the Cross River State Task Force on Primary Health Care Services.
The meeting was conducted on Tuesday at the State Library Complex, Calabar, and presided over by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, who chairs the Task Force.
In his address, the Deputy Governor commended members of the Task Force for the measurable improvements achieved in the delivery of primary healthcare services across the state. He applauded development partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, IVAC, AFENET, IMPACT, among others, for their sustained support and collaboration, noting that their contributions align seamlessly with the “People First” agenda of the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration.
Odey emphasized the need for stronger synergy between relevant health agencies and local government councils to consolidate the gains already recorded. He disclosed that the state government has consistently made provisions for counterpart funding to strengthen the health sector and other critical areas of development.
He highlighted Cross River State’s pioneering role in healthcare reform, noting that the state is among the first in Nigeria to commence the implementation of a health insurance policy aimed at improving access to affordable and quality healthcare for residents, especially the vulnerable population.
He also commended public-spirited individuals and public office holders in the state for enrolling vulnerable persons and constituents into the state health insurance scheme, thereby enabling them to access quality healthcare services at no cost.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, expressed appreciation to the Deputy Governor, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), council chairmen, and development partners for their collective efforts in improving health indices and the overall health status of Cross Riverians. He urged participants to engage meaningfully in deliberations to help chart a sustainable path for the state’s healthcare system.
In her presentation, the Director General of CRSPHCDA, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, provided an overview of the Task Force’s achievements in enhancing primary healthcare delivery and outlined strategic plans targeted at further strengthening healthcare services across communities in the state.
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project, African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Christian Health Association of Nigeria (CHAN), and other partner organizations lauded the Cross River State Government for its strong leadership and unwavering commitment to healthcare development.
They also expressed gratitude to Governor Bassey Otu for providing an enabling environment that allows development partners to effectively contribute to the growth of the health sector.
The partners expressed optimism that Cross River State would record impressive coverage during the upcoming Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction (MRV) Campaign scheduled to commence on February 4 -consolidating the state’s gains in preventive healthcare.
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