Residents of many rural communities in Cross River State are increasingly facing serious challenges in accessing quality healthcare as severe shortages of health workers continue to cripple primary healthcare centres across the state.
The alarming situation came to the fore during discussions by health stakeholders, who warned that the state's primary healthcare system is operating far below the minimum standard required to meet the needs of millions of residents.
Available figures show that Cross River currently has only 2,327 Community Health Workers serving 1,128 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state. In many communities, just one or two health workers are left to attend to pregnant women, children, elderly patients and emergency cases, despite the World Health Organization's recommendation of at least seven community health workers for every primary healthcare facility.
The shortage is reportedly more severe in remote local government areas where health personnel are expected to provide antenatal care, child immunisation, malaria treatment, health education, family planning and emergency referrals simultaneously.
Community leaders say the situation has forced many residents to travel long distances in search of medical attention or rely on traditional medicine because nearby health centres lack adequate manpower.
Health experts warn that the consequences extend beyond delayed treatment. They argue that overstretched workers are more likely to experience burnout, increasing the risk of medical errors while reducing the quality of care available to patients.
Maternal and child healthcare is also expected to suffer. Pregnant women in remote communities often require constant monitoring before delivery, but with only one or two staff members available in several facilities, many clinics struggle to provide round-the-clock services.
The shortage comes at a time when Cross River continues efforts to strengthen universal healthcare and improve access to primary healthcare services across the state. While government has continued implementing health programmes, stakeholders insist that recruiting and retaining more frontline health workers must become an urgent priority if the state's healthcare goals are to be achieved.
Public health advocates are now calling on the state government and development partners to invest in the recruitment of additional community health workers, improve welfare packages, provide accommodation in rural communities and strengthen training programmes to prevent a further decline in healthcare delivery.
They warn that unless immediate action is taken, the burden will continue to fall on the few available health workers, leaving thousands of Cross River residents vulnerable to preventable illnesses and avoidable deaths.
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