Governor Bassey Otu has said the ongoing construction of the Ikom Specialist Hospital is aimed at ending the long and stressful journeys many residents of Boki, Etung, Obubra and other parts of the Central Senatorial District make to Calabar in search of specialist medical care.
The governor made the statement during an interview with media personality Diana Mary Nsan while highlighting his administration's efforts to improve healthcare delivery across Cross River State.
According to Governor Otu, his administration met a healthcare sector that was in a state of emergency, with weak primary healthcare services and inadequate access to quality medical facilities, especially in rural communities.
He said many patients were forced to travel long distances before receiving treatment, with some critically ill residents reportedly dying on the way to referral hospitals because medical help was too far from their communities.
To address the challenge, the governor explained that his administration first focused on strengthening Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state by renovating existing facilities and constructing new ones in almost every ward.
He disclosed that the PHCs have also been equipped with solar power to ensure they remain operational even in communities with poor electricity supply, allowing patients to receive emergency treatment before being referred to higher-level hospitals when necessary.
Speaking on specialist healthcare, Governor Otu said Ikom was strategically selected because it serves as the commercial and administrative hub of the Central Senatorial District.
According to him, it no longer made sense for residents of Boki, Etung, Obubra and neighbouring local government areas to travel several hours to Calabar whenever they required specialist medical attention.
He revealed that construction work on the Ikom Specialist Hospital has advanced significantly and that the state government is expecting the arrival of modern medical equipment that will make the facility fully operational.
The governor said once completed and equipped, the hospital will provide advanced healthcare services for residents of the Central Senatorial District, reducing pressure on health facilities in Calabar while bringing quality medical care closer to the people.
Governor Otu also stated that his administration is renovating general hospitals across the 18 local government areas and constructing new ones where existing facilities can no longer meet the healthcare needs of residents.
He added that the government has also strengthened emergency medical services through its partnership with Zipline, a drone-powered medical delivery system that supplies essential medicines and medical consumables to health facilities across the state within minutes.
According to the governor, the programme has been in operation for more than two years and has improved access to life-saving medicines, particularly in remote communities where transportation challenges often delay emergency healthcare.
He expressed confidence that the combined investments in primary healthcare, specialist hospitals, general hospitals and medical technology would significantly improve healthcare delivery and ensure that more Cross River residents receive timely and quality medical care closer to their homes.
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