Charles Ekanem|1 July 2016|8:16am
Obanliku people of Cross River State recently demanded for more health workers in their primary health centres during the one day town hall meeting on health and assessment of health facilities around the LGA.
The meeting was held at the Civic Centre of the Local Government with Dr Betta Edu, Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency chairing the meeting.
Dr Edu said the essence of the exercise is to come and see with their eyes the progress and challenges encountered by health workers in the LGA. She assured the people of His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade's desire to provide quality accessible healthcare in Obanliku especially with the implementation of new policies that will help drive the process like Community Based Health Insurance Scheme. This scheme according to her will enable them access healthcare for a token no matter the ideal cost. The second policy is already implemented which is the establishment of one functional health center per ward policy of the Federal Government which the state has adopted.
She said three Heath centers have already been commissioned, two of them in Ikom by Wife of the President, Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari and one in Bedia, Obudu while one is still undergoing work at Aningeje, Akamkpa. The last policy, Mobile Primary Health services will enable incapacitated persons in the state receive Health care at door steps of their house.
Finally, she informed them of measures taken by the wife of the state governor, Dr Linda Ayade to cut down on maternal mortality which is becoming a serious issue in CRS today with increase death of pregnant women at TBA's homes and prayer houses in CRS. She said such measures include community policing policy that will involve strict follow up to ensure pregnant women attend ANC and deliver at heath facilities.
Earlier speaking, representatives of the Chairman, Hon. Apishie Mattias who is Legislative leader of the council reiterated their continuous support to the present administration, noting that Obanliku people are solidly behind his Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade as he strives hard to change the course of health care in the state. Hon Mattias noted that Obanliku is a rural populated area that depends on farming as their major trade. He also informed the DG that they are 9 health centers with no personnel to man the facilities.
Mr Felix Ayang from Utanga Ward decried that they cannot depend on General hospital alone since it is not yet fully functional, but will be hoping for rehabilitations of health centers across the LGA.
Mr Michael Okokoh, the Supervisor of Health, Obanliku pleaded for the cottage hospital built and equipped by one of their illustrious son to become operational with staff drafted in for full take off. The DG promised to channel his complaint to the Honourable Commissioner of health, Dr Inyang Asibong which is passionate about changing the status quo in the health sector. She shares the same vision of the administration and will bring help in no time.
The meeting was well attended by opinion leaders and royal father of Obanliku, HRH Ikanshui Joseph and PHC Coordinator of the LGA, Mr Joseph Omagu.
The meeting was followed by a needs assessment tour of PHC facilities in the LGA, which the DG noted poor staffing and poor conditions. She promised them that something will be done soon to revitalise healthcare in their LGA.
Charles Ekanem
Is the media aide to the DG, Pri Health Care, CRS
