Charles Ekanem|9 August 2017
Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade today flag off the inaugural Cross River State Health Summit theme “Translating Health Policies and Plans into actions” at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.
Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade who was ably represented by his deputy Prof Ejemot Esu said inline with the innovation and enterprising spirit of Cross River State State the first ever Health Summit will translate health policies into actions with immediate implementation.
He eulogized the Minister of Health for finding time to come and lay foundation stone for Ayade care centers, reassured him that more will be done to ensure that comprehensive healthcare is domesticated in every nook and crannies of the State.
“On assumption of duty much priorities were place on revitalization of healthcare in the State and as such many health centers across the State were equip and 18 medical doctors for primary healthcare across the State were employed and as well construct model healthcare centers in each senatorial district to compliment the effort of Federal Government.
The Governor said the State is making frantic effort to construct AYADECARE Specialist Hospital and equip it to the state of art facilities in every LGA for the State. State Health Insurance Scheme is to start operations soon and completed work in the Calabar Pharmaceutical Company as it will end drug stock out and save funds for the State.
According to him this will reduce the burden of health financing for the State. He called on the Federal Government and the private sector to support the State drive the project to success.
In his remarks, the Honorable Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole said Cross River State is a highly admired State by partners due to their passion for development of healthcare.
He said the Federal Government is to make sure at least 10,000 Primary Healthcare Centres functional across the country and the State Government are expected to champion this initiative through their State Primary healthcare agencies as all we need to do is to provide electricity, water and commodities to make it work.The minister advised the state to judiciously make use of the money from SOML fund to attract a new fund.
Speaking, Senate House Committee Chairman on Health Senator ( Dr) Lanre Tejuoso appeal for the continuous cooperation of State and Federal Government so the spend the mega resources of the country and harness the gains of health development in the country.
In her welcome remarks, the Honorable Commissioner for health Cross River State, Dr Inyang Asibong said over the years the Cross River State Government has taken deliberate steps to reform the State health system to effectively respond to the health needs of her people and also conform to global best practice. According to he various efforts to improve health service delivery in the state led to the development of relevant policies, plans and interventions to achieve the collective mission of the Cross River State health sector entities.
She went further to state that His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade has demonstrated enough commitment to change the rhetoric as there was inadequate health workforce in the state but with the lifting of the ban on employment, accreditation of 3 Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, as well as the policies and interventions put in place by the government and our partners, this will soon be a challenge of the past.
“We intend to provide health services at nooks and crannies of the State as this is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 3(SDG3) to ensure Universal health Coverage by 2030. Finally she pleaded for support of donors and development partners to help us in this regard.
Giving her goodwill Message, Dr Betta Edu said the state dimmed it necessary to come out with this health policies and translate it into actions to reduce maternal mortality, creating an enabling healthcare finance through the State Healthcare insurance where a Specialist Hospital would be build in every LGAs for easy health access.
She said the summit gives a strong indication of the state readiness to domesticate Primary healthcare in every community with the strong political will of the State Governor to the revitalization of primary healthcare in Cross River State.
The Honorable Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly Rt Hon John Gaul Lebo had stated that the legislatures will continue to create a role that will ensure that State healthcare insurance is domesticated in the State.
Speaking on behalf of development Partners, Country head of WHO said eulogized His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade for bringing healthcare closer to the people with his health policies. He said World Health Organization and other United Nation Agencies will continue to support the State especially in polio eradication and reproductive health.
The Honorable Minister and his entourage had earlier commissioned the three coastal buses donated by WHO and other development partners for School of Nursing and Midwifery and as well unveiled the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Multi Year Operational plan and Cross River State Strategic Health Development Plan for 2016-2020.
Charles Ekanem
Is a health reporter