The Cross River State House of Assembly have moved swiftly to address the deplorable state of health facilities in Yala 1 State Constituency and beyond.
Hon. Brian Odey, representing Yala 1 State Constituency, set the stage by presenting a motion calling on the Cross River State Government to urgently investigate the dire condition of health facilities and the critical shortage of health personnel in General Hospital, Okpoma, as well as various Community Health Centres in Yala I State Constituency. His motion sparked a chorus of support from fellow legislators.
Hon. Martin Achadu, the member representing Yala 2, passionately supported the motion, emphasizing that the General Hospital in Okpoma lacked even the most basic amenities, rendering it unfit for the provision of healthcare services. He joined Hon. Odey in urging the state government to address this crisis promptly.
In same vein, Hon. Mercy Akpama, representing Yakurr 2, echoed the sentiment that the 10th assembly is the “people’s assembly” and that the people could not be neglected in any way when it comes to their health and well-being.
Also Speaking, Hon. Francis Ogban, representing Biase, commended Hon. Brian Odey for bringing attention to the issue, revealing his own experiences with constituents who could not access adequate healthcare in Yala. He called on the state government to urgently re-equip and redeploy staff to the General Hospital in Okpoma, ensuring that the people have access to essential healthcare services also the member representing Akamkpa 2, Hon.inus Etim emphasized that the problems in the health sector extended beyond Yala and urged health workers posted to such facilities to promptly resume work or be held accountable for their absence.
Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, weighed in, demanding that workers at the affected facilities provide a public explanation before the Assembly for their abrupt cessation of work, stressing the need for due process. He emphasized that the health sector issues were not limited to Yala but a concern across the state. The Speaker also called on fellow legislators to contribute towards supporting the people in every possible way.
The Cross River State House of Assembly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the state of health facilities across the state, pledging to work together to ensure swift and effective solutions to these pressing issues.
