Hon Cyril James Omini, sponsor of the bill
By Itam Offor
The Cross River State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed for second reading a bill seeking to provide a legal framework for the establishment, structure, and administration of the Medical Residency Training Sponsorship Programme in the state.
The proposed legislation aims to institutionalize the funding and standardization of residency training for medical professionals across Cross River State.
Leading debate on the bill, its sponsor, Hon. Cyril James Omini (Yakurr I), explained that a clear legal structure is necessary to tackle the long-standing challenges the state faces in retaining medical doctors and dental surgeons in the civil and public service.
According to the Yakurr lawmaker, the Residency Training Programme for medical practitioners and dental surgeons aligns with the National Residency Training Act, 2017.
Omini noted that the bill will enhance the quality of specialist medical training and improve healthcare delivery across the state. He emphasized that it will also address the persistent shortage of medical doctors in state-owned hospitals.
In his remarks, the Deputy Leader, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta (Abi), commended the sponsor of the bill, adding that it will encourage medical doctors to take up employment with the state after completing their residency programmes.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate expressed unanimous support, stressing that strengthening medical residency training is essential to addressing the state’s shortage of specialists and improving the retention of healthcare workers.
They added that sustainable sponsorship of residency training will help reduce brain drain, popularly referred to as the “Japa syndrome”and boost the overall capacity of the state’s health sector.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended the sponsor and members for their dedication to people-centered legislation. He referred the bill to the Committee on Health for further legislative action.
