Governor Bassey Otu cuts the tape to commission brand new 32-seater buses presented to Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, as Prof. Anthony Owan, Secretary to the State Government (far left), Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the House of Assembly (left), Rt. Hon. Hilary Bisong, Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk (far right) among the large crowd watch in admiration
By: Edem Archibong, Calabar
The Cross River State Governnor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has indicated interest to build a medical village in one of the five Local Government Areas including standard hospitals that will be equipped with modern facilities to serve as training hub to student nurses and doctors since training and retraining of health professionals remains key priorities for effective service delivery in the health sectors of the state.
This assertion was made in Calabar during the presentation of three 32 Seaters buses to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk to the benefits of Cross River State Colleges of Nursing/Midwifery Sciences located at Calabar, Itigidi in Abi Local Government Area and Ogoja Local Government Area respectively.
He explained that “preventive health is central to reducing the high cost of medical care and sustaining wellness amongst the population”.
The governor reasons that “the only way to cut costs is to make sure the people stay healthy” because “prevention is cheaper than cure and we are committed to strengthening that approach”.
In efforts to reduce the out of pocket spending on health care Services and affordable to the people, the governor urges Cross Riverians to embrace the already existing State Health Insurance Scheme as a better alternative.
Speaking while receiving the buses on behalf of the three state’s own institutions, the Commissioner for Health,Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk described the buses donation as an “empirical evidence of the administration’s commitment to health sectors re-forms” in the state.
He recall that during the past PDP led administration in the state, Cross River State could only boost of one accredited nurses training institution which is the College of Nursing at Itigidi but through his vision and Support for a first class training institution for the state, four functional institutions have been accredited spread across the state.
The state Health boss commended the governor’s vision and mission for effective Healthcare delivery system because “Nursing and Midwifery students conduct about 80 percent of their clinical training out side the classroom which makes mobility critical. It is not just about buses, it is about ensuring that the students can move from one location to another for their practical work which is what these vehicles will serve that essential needs”, he added.
Dr. Ayuk also use the opportunity to appeal to the governor for such benevolence to be extended in the like manner to the School of Nursing/Midwifery Science, Obudu in Northern Senatorial Districts who are also in need of vehicles for their academic activities.
