From Surgeries to Thanksgiving: Commissioner Ayuk Celebrates Two Years in Office with Community Outreach

 

By Kingsley Agim

For two days, the agrarian community of Etomi in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State turned into a hub of medical activity, as nearly 300 residents received free healthcare in a special outreach marking Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk’s second anniversary as Commissioner for Health.

The outreach, held at the newly upgraded Etomi Primary Health Centre (PHC) from August 15 through 16, was powered by the State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the World Bank–supported IMPACT Project (Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services).

From consultations to surgeries, the outreach touched lives in multiple ways. More than 250 residents underwent medical consultations, 262 were screened for diabetes, and 259 tested for malaria. Twelve new cases of diabetes were diagnosed, while 53 malaria infections were confirmed. Eye care was a major highlight, with 34 patients treated, and 10 surgical operations, including hernia repairs and cyst removals, successfully performed. Every patient also went home with free essential drugs.

Dr. Ayuk described the exercise as both a thanksgiving and an extension of Governor Bassey Otu’s People First agenda. “This is my second year in office, and I chose to celebrate by demonstrating what His Excellency is doing in the health sector. Revitalizing this PHC in my own local government area shows the government’s commitment to primary healthcare across the state,” he explained.

The Commissioner listed major gains in the sector, including the rehabilitation of 96 PHCs, recruitment and deployment of 230 medical professionals to hospitals, and the expansion of the state health insurance sche me. He added that Cross River now allocates over 10 percent of its total budget to health, almost double the previous figure.

Project Manager of IMPACT, Dr. Paul Odey, described the outreach as “timely and life-changing” for rural residents who often lack access to affordable healthcare. Retired Permanent Secretary, Effiong Ayi, praised the PHC’s transformation, while Dr. Stephen Agbor of the Ministry of Health pointed to the eye treatments as a game-changer for residents who had suffered impaired vision for years.

Beneficiaries were deeply appreciative. The Village Head of Etomi, Chief David Amba, who himself received treatment for arthritis, prostate issues, and hypertension, called the outreach “life-saving” and urged government to sustain such interventions.

The two-day event closed with a thanksgiving mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Gabriel Inah hailed Dr. Ayuk’s humility and dedication. “You have brought services to the doorsteps of the poor and vulnerable. This is leadership in action,” he said.

In a celebratory flourish, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, hosted guests to a lavish reception at his palatial country home. Leaders and visitors alike showered compliments on both Barr. Agbor’s hospitality and Dr. Ayuk’s commitment to grassroots health reform.

The thanksgiving drew a strong presence of dignitaries, including Etung political leader Prince Ebuta Ojong Ayuk, Etung LGA Chairman Hon. Henry Anom, Primary Health Care DG Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, statesman Ntufam Gabriel Odu Oji, and a host of political stalwarts, legislators, and traditional rulers.