By Itam Offor
Stakeholders in the health sector have thrown their weight behind a bill seeking the establishment of a State Health Management Board in Cross River State.
The bill, which aims to strengthen the administration of public healthcare services, was the focus of a public hearing held at the Mini Auditorium of the State House of Assembly, Calabar.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health, Civil Society Organisations, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ministry of Justice and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) were in attendance. The participants unanimously described the proposed legislation as a timely and progressive step toward improving healthcare delivery and ensuring effective management of public health institutions across the state.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Egbe Ayuk commended the House of Assembly for its commitment to advancing healthcare reforms, noting that the proposed board would enhance coordination, accountability, and service delivery across public health facilities. He expressed confidence that, once passed into law, the bill would provide a sustainable framework for efficient management of healthcare personnel and resources in the State.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Rt Hon Hilary Bisong, reaffirmed the Assembly’s resolve to enact laws that would strengthen the state’s health system and ensure access to quality medical services for all residents. He explained that the bill for the establishment of the State Health Management Board was conceived to address administrative bottlenecks in the sector and promote professionalism, transparency, and efficiency in the management of public health institutions.
Bisong, who is the 10th Assembly’s Chief Whip expressed confidence that the bill, which did not see the light of day in the last three Assemblies will be passed by the 10th Assembly.
” This bill was introduced in the seventh Assembly. It didn’t scale through in the Eight and Ninth Assemblies but am confident that, this time, it will be passed into Law.”
Other Members present at the public hearing, including, Hon Bassey Bassey (Akpabuyo), and Hon Martins Achadu both interacted with the Stakeholders to fine tune the bill.
At the end of the hearing, the Speaker of the House, represented by the Rt Hon Bisong commended all stakeholders for their constructive contributions and assured them that their inputs would be carefully considered during the final drafting of the bill. He emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to passing laws that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people, particularly in improving healthcare delivery and promoting the well-being of every resident of Cross River State.
