In a significant development for healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the Cross River State Government has earned recognition from the House of Representatives Committee on Health Care Services for groundbreaking progress in revitalising its primary health sector. This commendation comes in light of impressive strides through the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project and sustained support from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The House Committee, led by Hon. Amos Magaji, visited Cross River recently to conduct an on-the-ground evaluation of key health initiatives. The goal was to witness firsthand the practical outcomes and implementation of national and state-funded interventions aimed at driving universal health coverage for millions of Nigerians.
Primary Healthcare Renaissance in Cross River
During a wrap-up press briefing following the assessment tour, Hon. Magaji shared that the committee was genuinely impressed by the momentum behind healthcare reforms in the state. According to Magaji, Cross River exemplifies what can be achieved when committed leadership converges with collaborative partnerships between government tiers and stakeholders. He remarked, “What we have seen in Cross River is remarkable. The primary healthcare system here is undergoing genuine renewal.”
He further highlighted Governor Bassey Otu’s administration as demonstrating “clear vision and political resolve,” positioning the state as a model for intergovernmental and multi-partner cooperation in Nigeria. He asserted, “Governor Otu’s administration is investing heavily in access and quality. If this pace continues, every ward in the state will soon boast a functional health centre, bringing us closer to universal health coverage by 2030.”
Oversight Insights: Funding, Challenges, and Policy Action
Explaining the purpose of the inspection, Magaji said the committee’s mandate extended beyond observation. Their focus included verifying the utilisation of funds from the IMPACT Project and the BHCPF, pinpointing lingering obstacles, and formulating recommendations for federal legislative backing.
He acknowledged, “We observed recurring issues such as workforce shortages and the difficulty of reaching remote areas. These are not peculiar to Cross River, but we are determined to work with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other partners to address them.” Hon. Magaji also hinted that findings from this oversight exercise would shape future policy interventions aimed at strengthening healthcare systems not only within Cross River but nationwide.
Cross River’s Strategy: Accountability, Partnerships, and Infrastructure
Receiving the delegation, Dr. Henry Ayuk, Cross River State Commissioner for Health, expressed appreciation for the federal lawmakers’ constructive oversight. He said the visit reaffirmed the state’s commitment to robust reforms and transparency in healthcare delivery.
According to Dr. Ayuk, “Cross River’s progress is the product of strategic partnerships between the state, the federal government, the World Bank, and development partners. In less than two years, Governor Otu’s administration has achieved a turnaround in both infrastructure and service delivery.” He spotlighted the establishment of the Drug Management Agency, a milestone which has stabilised and secured the supply chain for essential medicines and vaccines.
Community Impact: Renovated Centres and Enhanced Service for Mothers and Children
Highlighting the scale of transformation, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, revealed that over 100 primary healthcare centres across the state have been renovated, thanks to funding from both the IMPACT Project and the BHCPF, coupled with direct state initiatives. “When we took office, many facilities were dilapidated. Today, more than 100 have been refurbished and staffed. We now have at least two skilled birth attendants in each of the 196 political wards, a major step toward improving maternal and child health,” she noted.
She underscored the critical role of humanitarian partners such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Red Cross, and the Global Fund, acknowledging their technical expertise and logistical support, which have reinforced the state’s renewed investment in primary healthcare. Residents and community leaders in rural wards are reportedly noticing improvements in both staff attitude and health centre accessibility, according to local news outlets.
Facility Upgrades: Raising Health Centre Standards Across the State
Dr. Paul Odey, the manager of the IMPACT Project, elaborated on the technical objectives driving the initiative. The project, he explained, prioritises upgrading facilities from Level 1 to Level 2 centres—with an emphasis on equipping each with critical infrastructure: delivery suites, wards, functional laboratories, pharmacies, family planning units, reliable water and power supply, and secure perimeter fencing. “Our goal is to ensure every Level 2 facility has delivery suites, wards, laboratories, pharmacies, family planning units, water, power, and perimeter fencing,” Dr. Odey explained. “The project is closing human resource gaps and improving outcomes for mothers and children.”
Ongoing Challenges: Manpower and Rural Access
Despite these achievements, several challenges have proven persistent. Workforce shortages, particularly in hard-to-reach rural wards, remain a key bottleneck for full-service coverage. “Recruiting and retaining health workers in remote locations continues to be a shared challenge across Nigeria,” noted a Lagos-based health analyst in a telephone interview. Similar staffing shortages have previously limited efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality in Ghana and other West African countries, highlighting a region-wide obstacle to universal health coverage.
- Manpower development—especially for community health workers—is a key strategic focus.
- Infrastructure gaps, including roads and communications, complicate regular delivery of medical supplies in isolated communities.
- Continuous funding, especially at local government level, is necessary to build on momentum and prevent regress in future years.
Legislative Support and National Policy Implications
Both Hon. Emil Inyang (Akamkpa/Biase) and Hon. Bassey Akiba (Odukpani/Calabar Municipality), representatives for Cross River State in the House of Representatives, joined the oversight delegation. Their participation signals a bipartisan interest in using lessons learned from Cross River as a blueprint for primary healthcare interventions across Nigeria.
Legislators say the federal government and the NPHCDA must harmonise resource allocation, address deployment bottlenecks, and continue partnering with global institutions. Comparative analysis shows that similar public health models in Rwanda and Botswana—which focus on rural investment, staff retention, and accountability—have achieved significant gains in maternal and child health outcomes, according to WHO reports.
Regional and Global Context: Why This Matters Beyond Cross River
Nigeria’s renewed focus on primary healthcare aligns with international health targets, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. With sub-Saharan Africa still accounting for two-thirds of global maternal deaths, progress in states like Cross River sends a powerful message of hope and possibility for other regions facing similar healthcare delivery challenges.
Moreover, improved health centre coverage enhances resilience to future pandemics, reduces pressure on overloaded tertiary hospitals, and builds trust between communities and health workers. Neighboring West African countries monitoring Nigeria’s investments may adapt successful aspects of the Cross River model, spurring a regional race towards higher health standards.
Your Turn: What’s Next for Healthcare in Nigeria?
As Cross River’s reforms continue to attract both local and global attention, the road ahead will require consistent funding, political will, and innovative solutions to recruit and train dedicated health professionals for underserved communities. Yet, the determined collaborative spirit displayed offers a refreshing change for public health in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole.
How do you feel about the steps being taken to revitalise primary healthcare in Cross River State? What more can be done to overcome persistent barriers and achieve universal health coverage in Nigeria? Share your opinions below—and follow us for more in-depth coverage of health developments across the continent!
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