Governor Bassey Otu has launched the “Sweet Prince Palliative Health Programme” to provide health assistance to vulnerable groups in Cross River State.
The programme flagged off recently in Calabar, aims to improve the health of pregnant women, children under five, and the elderly over 70.
Governor Otu emphasised that the programme fulfils his commitment to prioritise health and well-being.
He also announced plans to establish modern General Hospitals in each local government area.
He said the State Health Insurance Scheme will be reformed to ensure affordable and effective healthcare services for all residents. Additionally, the programme will include various upgrades and enhancements to healthcare facilities across the state, the Governor said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, described the ‘Sweet Prince Palliative Health Programme’ as a health sector mandate to ensure that Cross Riverians have the first taste of the ‘People First’ agenda, which is healthcare for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
“The Palliative Healthcare Programme is a means to provide free basic health services to the poor and vulnerable in the state. Across the State, facilities have been mapped out and receiving similar upgrades. 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.”
The Health Commissioner mentioned some of the interventions at the facility including the provision of a borehole and overhead tank for portable water supply, reactivation of tricycle ambulances to be spread across health facilities in the state, revitalisation of the laboratory and pharmacy, as well as other basic facilities for effective healthcare service delivery.
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Also speaking, the Director General, of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivian Mesembe 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.
The clan head of Nyanghasang community, Ntoe Orok Etim Okon conveyed the gratitude of Nyangasang Qua Clan Council to the governor for the infrastructural revolution embarked upon in the last year of his administration.
Ntoe Okon, who was represented by the clan secretary, Iso Bassey Edimotop, said the Palliative Healthcare Programme would contribute immensely to the health, wellness and development of the community, quipping that only a healthy citizenry can make every other dream possible.
