Charles Ekanem|23 June 2016|7:56am
Yala people on Friday 17th June, 2016 demanded accessible healthcare services while calling on Cross River State Government to intervene in areas like Wanikade, Wanokom and Wanihem villages of Ukelle North Communities.
Dr Betta Edu the state Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency said the Governor does not believe in the top bottom approach. "He directed that we come to Yala and dialogue with opinion leaders on what the health needs are and how best the state can provide primary healthcare to reach people in the grassroots.
She also hinted them on new policies that will improved healthcare delivery in their communities like the State Health Insurance Scheme or Community Based Health Insurance Scheme were Yala people would contribute very little amount of money to a central purse so that anytime they are sick, they can access healthcare for free at point of use. She said the state Governor Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade is introducing mobile health delivery that will take healthcare to the door steps people in Yala LGA. According to her it will help those incapacitated to access healthcare services.
"I want to intimate you of the latest policy which the state adopted from FG which is the provision of at least one functional PHC per political ward. The health center will deliver 24 hours services to the people and also enable our women access Maternity services, antenatal delivery and post natal care with drugs and routine immunization to children", she informed.
HRM Ogamode Onah Ipule, Paramount Ruler of Yala said the state Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade loves Yala people so much and it's the reason he sent our daughter back home to salvage the situation of Yala indigenes. He urged the people to be more focused on farming to earn living instead of always depending on government for everything. He decried the poor health facilities in Ukelle North axis of Yala while praying to the state government to come to their aid.
Many who spoke, demanded for water, security, manpower and rehabilitation of health centers across the LGA. Mrs Ikuba Christiana from Okpoma observed high increase of women delivering in TBA's by urging the Agency to do something about it.
Earlier speaking the representative of the Chairman Hon. Mike Ogbudu said health is very essential to everyone, while also saying Yala is a very large LGA in the state with big potentials but need urgent attention from the government regarding the refurbishment and establishment of primary and secondary health facilities. He tasked the people to air out their mind about various challenges bewildering them. He said the people will continue to support this administration and do everything possible to make their daughter achieve her dreams of revitalizing PHC's in the state.
Dr Ana Oniebene, state PHC Director, during the resolution, prayed for God to continue giving wisdom to the governor Prof Ben Ayade to deliver quality health care to the people.
Charles Ekanem
Is the media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
