By Kingsley Agim
Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk has emphasised that the present administration led by Governor Bassey Otu places high premium on the health of its citizens and remains poised to getting health insurance working comprehensively in a bid to enthrone Universal Health Coverage in the State.
Dr. Ayuk who made the emphasis while declaring open an orientation workshop on Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Implementation Protocols and Guidelines, held on Thursday at Jorany Hotels, Calabar, insisted that for the sector to achieve the present administration's policy thrust in health, stakeholders must eschew all forms of dichotomies that have hitherto stalled progress, and rather work for the common goal of the health sector and the collective good of the people of the State.
The Health Commissioner further stated that, in conformity to the Otu-led administration's 'People First' mantra, his leadership of the health sector would not condone decisive tendencies capable of impeding the progress of the sector and, inadvertently, the State at large.
In his words: "There is so much emphasis on health insurance by the present administration. You can never attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) without cost sharing. And UHC is about access to quality and affordable healthcare without plunging those seeking care or their households to catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses.
"This workshop would help strengthen the health sector with regards to UHC. This training should also challenge you and I on what we can contribute to enthrone Universal Health Coverage in the State."
Stressing on the need for unity of purpose, Ayuk said "Clusters of the health sector is inseparable because they must work together for the common good of the sector.
"Put yourselves in focal positions for the enthronement of Universal Health Coverage in the State."
He assured of a total overhaul of the human resource management of the health sector in a bid to better equip health facilities with manpower and boost healthcare service delivery.
The Commissioner charged participants to take the training seriously in order to strengthen health facilities in the State for service delivery.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr (Mrs.) Pauline Obute said the training would bridge the knowledge gap with regards to information flow and implementation of BHCPF, hence the need to take it seriously.
Speaking earlier, the representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mr. Peter Osekwemhe, averred that the training was necessary for capacity building of personnel in the sector for efficient service delivery.
He also tasked participants to make the most out of the workshop, as it provides them with the requisite knowledge on Basic Health Care Provision Fund implementation.
Participants at the training included representatives from World Health Organisation (WHO), Cross River State Ministry of Health, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and Cross River State Health Insurance Agency.
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