By Onwa Ekor
The Cross River government, through the Ministry of Health, has commenced preparations for the unveiling of the newly completed General Hospital, Obudu, signaling a major boost to healthcare delivery in Obudu and its surrounding communities.
Located along Ogoja Road, the facility is being positioned as a premier centre for healing, equipped to deliver quality, people-centred medical services.
The project, spearheaded by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, represents a significant stride in the state government’s resolve to bridge healthcare gaps through modern infrastructure and improved access to care.
Following a recent site inspection, key project leaders converged to fine-tune the operational roadmap ahead of the hospital’s formal take-off.
The inspection focused on ensuring that all wards, laboratories and critical service areas are fully ready for immediate clinical use, with the overarching goal of transitioning the facility into a fully functional medical institution without delay.
Speaking to newsmen during the inspection, Ayuk emphasized the urgency attached to the project, stressing the administration’s readiness to commence operations as soon as final preparations are concluded.
“Once everything is put in place, I will not waste time to come and start the operation,” the commissioner assured.
He said staffing and security featured prominently in the review process, maintaining that “the hospital has already secured a core team of professionals, including trained nursing graduates and an experienced laboratory technician, as efforts intensify to close remaining personnel gaps.
“Particular attention is being given to establishing a robust 24-hour security system to safeguard the hospital’s modern medical equipment and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Plans are already underway to strengthen security staffing to guarantee round-the-clock protection.”
In a bid to entrench community ownership and trust, the commissioner revealed that the Ministry of Health is mobilizing a wide network of stakeholders ahead of the hospital’s launch, adding that, engagements are ongoing with the Obudu local government Council, faith-based organizations such as the Catholic Church, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), as well as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), youth councils, and traditional leaders from Obukpa and Gbara communities of Obudu local government area.
“By drawing in these diverse groups, the Ministry aims to ensure broad awareness, collective responsibility and sustained patronage of the facility.
“With final legal and administrative processes nearing completion, the General Hospital Obudu is poised to usher in a new era of accessible, and quality healthcare, accentuating the Cross River government’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of its people,” Ayuk concluded.
