By Onwa Ekor, Calabar.
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has launched the “Sweet Prince Palliative Health Programme” to offer health assistance to vulnerable groups in the state.
The programme is aimed at improving the health needs of pregnant women, under five children and the elderly who are over 70 years.
Speaking at the event which held at Nyahasang Health Centre in Calabar Municipality, the governor maintained that the program was in fulfillment of his commitment to prioritize health and well-being.
He also announced plans to establish modern General Hospitals in each local government area across the state.
According to him, the State Health Insurance Scheme will be reformed to ensure affordable and effective healthcare services for all residents, adding that, the programme will include various upgrades and enhancements to healthcare facilities across the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, described the ‘Sweet Prince Palliative Health Programme’ as a health sector mandate to ensure that Cross Riverians especially the poor and vulnerable enjoy the first taste of the ‘People First’ agenda, on basic healthcare.
“The Palliative Healthcare Programme is a means to provide free basic health services to the poor and vulnerable in the state.
“Facilities across the state have been mapped out and receiving similar upgrade, so, 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 said.
The Health Commissioner further listed some of the interventions 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, revitalization of the laboratory and pharmacy, as well as other basic facilities for effective healthcare service delivery.
Director General, Cross River Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivian Otu, lauded the governor for the impactful initiative.
She said the programme would provide quality healthcare in terms of free consultations, treatment, investigation, mama kits to pregnant women, and referral to secondary healthcare.
Clan head of Nyahasang community, Ntoe Orok Etim Okon conveyed the gratitude of Nyahasang Qua Clan Council to the governor for his infrastructural revolution embarked upon in the last one year of his administration.
Ntoe Okon, who was represented by the clan secretary, Iso Bassey Edim, said the Palliative Healthcare Programme would contribute immensely to the health, wellness and development of the community, remarking that, only a healthy citizen can make dreams possible.
