By Kingsley Agim
Cross River State has emerged as Nigeria’s top performer in routine immunization coverage, following sweeping healthcare reforms under Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration. In two years, 94 primary healthcare centres have been renovated, digitalization has reached all 196 political wards, and maternal and child health services have been overhauled statewide.
This was revealed by Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), during a chat with journalists in Calabar.
“When I assumed office, the situation was devastating. Most facilities were dilapidated, understaffed, and completely rejected by the communities they were meant to serve,” Dr. Otu said. “Some centres were unfit for human use, and many women had returned to traditional birth attendants and patent medicine dealers for care.”
Through strategic partnerships and Governor Otu’s “People-First” commitment to healthcare, the state has achieved what many described as improbable.
A total of 94 ward-level primary health centres have been/are being renovated with modern facilities, including solar-powered electricity, clean water boreholes, and medical equipment tailored for maternal and child healthcare.
“These renovations are not random,” Dr. Otu explained. “One center per ward is being revitalized to serve as a flagship. Of these, five are funded directly by the state government, 82 through the World Bank–supported IMPACT Project, and seven under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).”
Each centre is now stocked with Mama Kits—comprehensive childbirth packages containing essential supplies for safe delivery. “Today, all a pregnant woman needs to bring is herself and the pregnancy. We provide everything else,” Dr. Otu added.
To solve chronic staffing shortages, the agency recruited 196 skilled birth attendants—one per ward—plus over 380 additional healthcare workers. Ongoing capacity-building programs ensure staff are trained in essential maternal and neonatal care.
Crucially, the state has also engaged and trained traditional birth attendants (TBAs), instructing them to refer complicated cases to formal healthcare facilities. “We want to integrate them into our system as community allies, not competitors,” said Dr. Otu.
Cross River is also pioneering digital transformation in healthcare. All 196 ward-level PHCs have been equipped with laptops and connected to a centralized health information management system.
“This is not just about computers; it’s about reliable data for decision-making and resource tracking,” Dr. Otu said, noting a new partnership with the Elephant Project to expand digital infrastructure and monitoring tools.
Perhaps the most groundbreaking achievement is Cross River’s rise to number one in routine immunization coverage nationwide, according to the latest National Demographic Health Survey (2023–2024). The state recorded an unprecedented 95% coverage, surpassing even Lagos, which scored 86%.
“This was not by chance,” Dr. Otu emphasized. “We went deep into zero-dose communities—places where children had never received a single vaccine—and ensured no child was left behind.”
A mix of radio jingles, door-to-door campaigns, and community mobilization drove the success.
To ensure sustainability, community entry meetings are now mandatory before renovation begins in any locality. Chiefs, youth leaders, and village development committees are involved from day one.
“We’re building a sense of ownership. These facilities are not government structures—they belong to the people. And the people must protect them,” she stressed.
Still, challenges remain. Dr. Otu condemned recent vandalism at some newly upgraded centers, especially in Bakassi, describing it as a “serious setback.”
“We’re not backing down. We’ll return to those communities and re-engage. This is a shared journey, and everyone must be on board,” she said.
Despite the gains, the DG acknowledged that the state is still climbing. “We are not where we want to be yet, but we are no longer where we used to be. The trajectory is clear—we are rebuilding not just infrastructure, but trust in public health.”
Governor Otu’s administration has allocated ₦5 billion in the 2025 budget to expand and complete the PHC revitalization across the remaining wards.
“Our vision is simple,” Dr. Otu concluded. “Accessible, affordable, and accountable healthcare—right at the doorstep of every Cross River resident.”
The Cross River State Primary Health Care Revitalization Program is a flagship project under Governor Otu’s “People-First” governance blueprint, focused on restoring public confidence in primary health through infrastructure, innovation, and inclusion.