Charles Ekanem|5 August 2016
Chief of Party, Health Finance and Governance (HFG) Dr Gafar Alawode and his team earlier yesterday visited the Director General of Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu in her office.
Speaking, Dr Gafar Alawode thanked the DG for granting them audience, pledging to work with Cross River State to revitalize Primary Healthcare. According to him, HGF is here to provide a sustainable smart platform for health care financing in the state through, health care diagnosis, governance, fiscal space analysis, resource mobilisation and tracking policy direction for SHIS amongs others.
"Our aim is to domesticate health finance in CRS through reforms. We are willing to partner with you on the State Health Insurance Scheme which translates to Community Based Health Insurance Scheme for the primary healthcare level. We are more concerned on the infrastructure functionaliity and development in the PHC system of the state as this will be places where majority of persons will access services. The people should be able to feel the impact of their money through quality accessible healthcare said the Chief of Party.
Responding, Dr Betta Edu, thanked HFG for coming, informing them on the steps taken so far by the present administration to revamp primary health in the state. On resumption of office, His Excellency, Sen.Prof. Ben Ayade approved for thorough Need Assessment tour of healthcare facilities across the 18 LGA's with town hall meeting to hear directly from the people their challenges in accessing primary health facilities. Part of the policy to revamp the sector was the introduction of State Health Insurance Scheme which the people will pay little money into a central purse so the can access treatment at Health facilities provided they have enroll in the scheme. She has been to most communities explaining the benfit of risk sharing and protection from catastrophic health expenditure that can impoverish.
According to her the people are willing and ready to support the scheme which envisage the calling of healthcare financing by the people.
Dr Edu went further to intimate the organization that the Agency was fully establish by the law to enhance smooth running of PHC under the one roof policy. She said the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade and Wife Dr. LINDA AYADE are open to initiatives that will drive primary healthcare in the state forward. She assured them of the state readiness to partner with them for the health interest of the people.
Finally Dr Garfar, COP commended the DG, D Betta Edu, the State Governor, His Excellency Prof Ben Ayade ey
sensitizing and engaging communities on the process of revitalizing primary healthcare in the state.
"I'm impress with what I saw in the state, the policies, engagement with the people, refurbishment of some health centers and the proposed state health insurance scheme. I give pass mark to the Governor as I hope to work with the health team for the betterment of the people via good health access and financing. Dr Garfar concluded.
Charles Ekanem
Is the media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
