More than 120 Thousand Nigerians have benefitted from a weeklong free medical outreach programme of the wife of the Cross River State governor, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu.
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The free medical outreach programme was flagged off by Mrs. Otu on Monday September 4, 2023 at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Henshaw Town, Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in southern Nigeria.
In a statement released by the Press Secretary to the wife of the Cross River State governor, Miss Faith Okon, indicated that mobile health teams were deployed across the three senatorial districts for efficiency.
According to Okon, “Within the next few days, the teams would effectively cover the entire state. There are about four local government areas left and more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons have so far been reached.”
Enhancing access
During the flag off ceremonies, Reverend Otu, reiterated her commitment to provide quality health care and succour to the people in tandem with Governor Bassey Otu’s ‘People First’ agenda.
She said, “it has always been my desire to be part of any philanthropic duty and in this case, providing access to free medical services for our people irrespective of religious, ethnic or tribal differences.”
While emphasizing for drastic turnaround in the health sector, she urged the people to take advantage of the programme to access free malaria test and treatment, free consultations, children and COVID vaccinations, eye and dental care services, free drugs and health education.
Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the wife of the governor on Programme, Project and Event, Dr. Inyang Asibong explained that the essence of the outreach was to take healthcare services closer to the 40 percent Cross River people living in poverty.
“We are determined to provide education, agriculture, environment and social welfare programmes for women, the elderly, children and those living with disability.”
Nigerian Navy
Meanwhile, Mrs. Eyoanwan Otu has sued for strengthened partnership with the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH) in Calabar for greater access to affordable healthcare.
Mrs. Otu, in the company of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, and other officials was received by the Commander NNRH, Surgeon Captain Dominica Adebayo and other members of the hospital management team.
Reverend Otu expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for the prompt, effective and efficient service delivery to Cross River State citizens as she toured the facilities and interacted with some patients as well as staff.
She said, “I am here to thank you for your effective and efficient health services offered to our people; to strengthen the relationship that had already existed and applaud you for all you have been doing. We hope to enjoy a better relationship than what we had.”
Mrs. Otu further commended the hospital for prompt response to the citizens, who were involved in the bikers’ carnival accident last year.
“The facilities here are world class, we do not have any business going to any other place because you have more than enough to take care of Nigerians.”
In a remark, Surgeon Captain Adebayo appreciated the wife of the governor for her visit, reiterating the hospital’s commitment to providing the best possible care for its patients in line with international best practices.
