By Sam Akanimo
Vulnerable groups in Cross River State will from now on, be benefitting from a health assistance of Governor Bassey Otu.
The initiative is known as “Sweet Prince Palliative Health Programme”. It has already been flagged off at Nyanghasang, a community in Calabar Municipality.
Governor Otu explains that the aim of the programme is to improve the health of pregnant women, children under five, and the elderly over 70.
While describing the programme as a testimony of his commitment to prioritise health and well-being, Otu also announced plans to establish modern general hospitals in each local government area of the state.
He explained that the state Health Insurance Scheme will be reformed to ensure affordable and effective healthcare services for all residents.
Additionally, the programme will includes various upgrades and enhancements to healthcare facilities across the state, the governor said.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, in his remarks, described the ‘Sweet Prince Palliative Health Programme’ as a health sector mandate to ensure that Cross Riverians have the first taste of the ‘People First’ agenda, which is healthcare for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
According to the commissioner, “The Palliative Healthcare Programme is a means to provide free basic health services to the poor and vulnerable in the state.
“Across the state facilities have been mapped out and receiving similar upgrade. What you see here is a demonstration of that example.
“We have selected sites accessible to the rural population and areas for upgrade to provide basic infrastructure, human resources and general health services.”
Ayuk listed some of the interventions at the facility to include the provision of borehole and overhead tank for portable water supply, reactivation of tricycle ambulances to be spread across health facilities in the state, revitalisation of the laboratory and pharmacy, as well as other basic facilities for effective healthcare service delivery.
Also speaking, the Director General of the state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivian Mesembe Otu, lauded the governor for the impactful initiative.
She stated that the programme would provide quality healthcare in terms of free consultations, treatment, investigation, mama kits to pregnant women, and referral to secondary healthcare.
The Clan Head of Nyanghasang community, Orok Etim Okon, expressed the gratitude of Nyanghasang Qua Clan Council to the governor for his infrastructural revolution embarked upon in the last one year of his administration.
Okon, who was represented by the Clan Secretary, Iso Bassey Edimotop, said the Palliative Healthcare Programme would contribute immensely to the health, wellness and development of the community, quipping that only a healthy citizenry can make every other dream possible.
