16 November 2017
The Cross River State House of Assembly committee chairman on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey recently said the House is committed to providing the enabling budgetary framework that would help reposition primary healthcare in the State as centre of excellence in healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Committee made this known during the Committee’s visit to the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency on oversight function.
He said the committee was on their routine oversight function while commending the DG, Dr Betta Edu for her success in leading Cross River to attained Primary Healthcare Under One Roof.
Dr Bassey however stated that the House of Assembly committee on health was bothered about the level of budget release and implementation which he noted was very poor.
The Committee promised to assist healthcare in the State with needed budgetary provision to fast track the completion of its capital projects some of which commenced as far back as 2015.
Earlier Speaking Dr Betta Edu said the level of people in the present Cross River State House of Assembly are great intellectuals providing legislative solutions to the progress of Cross River State.
She noted that Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency have really enjoyed the effect of proper legislation on governance and reforms in the health sector which one of the result is the PHC law and administrative building of the Agency.
She said as it concerns budgetary Cross River State have not been able to attained the Abuja Declaration which 15% of the total budget is suppose to go to Health. However she believes there is chance for improvement
Dr Edu said the State Governor, His Excellency Prof Ben Ayade has been very contributive and supportive to the development of primary healthcare in the State ad well as the First Lady Dr Linda Ayade who has supported they strengthening of PHC in the state.
According to her few items in the budget due to the dwindling state allocation have witnessed low release and implementation but above all the State has been supportive by releasing funds for the renovation of the new administrative block for the Agency, Drugs Revolving Fund and Construction of Yache Health Center as this forms part of the prerequisites for Primary Healthcare under one roof which have landed the position as State Zonal Champions of the Save One Million Lives intervention with a prize gift of $500,000.
Those in the team from CRSHA included Member Representing Yala 1, Hon Regina Anyogo, Member Representing Biase, Hon Ogbor Ogbor who really praised the DG calling her a square Peg in square hole and the Secretary of the Committee, Barr John Odu while the Director of Administration and Finance in the Agency Barr Efiom Daniel and Mr Ekpe Bassey were in attendant.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
