Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has approved funding for the completion of a kidney dialysis centre at the General Hospital, Ogoja, in a significant move to improve access to specialist healthcare services for residents of the state’s northern senatorial district.
The approval is expected to bridge a critical gap in renal healthcare by bringing life-saving dialysis services closer to patients who currently travel long distances to access treatment.
Announcing the development on Friday in Calabar, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, said the intervention reflects Governor Otu’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to quality medical services across Cross River State.
Dr. Ayuk explained that the decision was informed by the rising incidence of kidney failure and the absence of a functional dialysis referral centre in the northern part of the state.
He noted that patients requiring renal dialysis often undertake difficult and costly journeys to medical facilities in Makurdi, Abakaliki and Calabar, exposing them to additional physical, emotional and financial hardship while seeking life-saving care.
According to the commissioner, the Governor has approved the release of funds to commence and complete the outstanding civil works required for the installation of dialysis equipment at the proposed Kidney Centre in General Hospital, Ogoja.
He described the intervention as a strategic investment in the health sector that will substantially reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the district while improving survival outcomes for people living with kidney disease.
Dr. Ayuk expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for prioritising the health needs of Cross River residents, describing the approval as another demonstration of the administration’s unwavering commitment to delivering people-centred healthcare under its development agenda.
He assured that the Ministry of Health would ensure the prompt and transparent utilization of the approved funds to facilitate the timely completion of the project and the commencement of dialysis services.
Upon completion, the dialysis centre is expected to serve as a major referral hub for renal care in Northern Cross River, bringing specialist treatment closer to thousands of residents and reducing the financial burden associated with seeking care in neighbouring states.