Charles Ekanem|14 June 2016|7:11am
The people of Biase Local Government Area yesterday demanded universal health coverage from state government during the first ever Health Town Hall Meeting and Needs Assessment Tour of facilities in Biase Primary Health Care Centers. The call was made by the Paramount Ruler of Biase, HRM Nicholas Onun.
Speaking , the Royal Father commended the state Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade for improving the health sector within a year in office.
"As part of the rivitalisation of health sector by His Excellency. We in Biase are strongly demanding for wider coverage of healthcare in the local government. We also demand for more human power to be engaged by the Agency to fill gaps in some health facilities. We will continue to support this administration to the fullest until the actualization of their set goals and target for Cross Riverians are met.
The town hall meeting which was chaired by the DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu was a huge success as the people of Biase reinstated their believe in Governor Ben Ayade administration.
Dr Edu disclosed several policies to be implemented by the state government in a bid to boast healthcare system in the state. According to her "the state governor has asked me to inform you of the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme that will enable all Cross Riverians to assess quality healthcare for a token under the state health insurance scheme. The second policy is the Mobile Health Care that will take services to the door step of Cross Riverians and the One Functional PHC per Ward which is a policy of the Federal Government adopted by the state. It will cut across all the political wards in the state.
She said unlike before when major policies directly affecting the people will be taken in Calabar without recourse to the man living at the hills of Ogoja. The present Governor, His Excellency, Sen (Prof). Ben Ayade has asked us to come down to Biase and find out your challenges in accessing healthcare in your communities which is reason we are here so we can directly hear from you the gate keepers of Biase. She further noted that the Commissioner for Health, Dr Asibong, is giving here backing to this policy
Earlier speaking, the Chairman, Hon Ana Enabiene who was represented by the Council Secretary, Hon Augustine Aidam was delighted to host the town hall meeting, noting that the Local Government will continue partnering with the Agency for quality health care services to the people of Biase. As they expect the commissioning of their PHC in Biakpan this month
"We firmly believed in His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade for his steadfastness in delivering quality and accessible healthcare to the State and by that we in Biase have resolved to support his health policies".
Other notables observation from opinion leaders, community heads and youth included that the are already feeling the progress as one of their PHC is to be commissioned soon. They requested for provision of water and electricity to some health facilities to boost primary healthcare delivery in the LGA.
"In Adim Village, the community have employed health workers who graduated from College of Health Technology, Calabar to man some health facilities as part of community ownership participation. Their wages are paid from collective contribution in the village said the PHC Coordinator of Biase .
Most of the Primary health facilities in Biase were assessed by the DG and members of Need Assessment team from the Agency which include included Dr. Iwara Diru Community Health, Dr O. Ana Dir PHC, Mrs Eyaba State immunisation officer, state nutrition officer and state mobilisation officer.
Charles Ekanem
Media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
