By Seyi Odewale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has accused Governor Bassey Otu of presiding over a collapsing healthcare system, alleging that surgeries are being carried out in some public hospitals with phone torchlights because of persistent electricity outages.
The state PDP Chairman, Venatius Ikem, who described the situation as “shameful” and called on the state government to declare an emergency in the health sector, said: “The health sector in Cross River is in a shambolic condition and requires urgent intervention. It is unacceptable that surgeries are being carried out with phone torch lights because there is no electricity in some General Hospitals.”
Ikem, who addressed newsmen yesterday, alleged that hospitals in Calabar and Akamkpa lack stable electricity, forcing patients’ relatives to buy petrol before surgeries and other medical procedures can be conducted.
He further claimed that public hospitals across the state are battling severe manpower shortages, alleging that fewer than 20 doctors and only 99 nurses currently serve in government health facilities.
“Nurses and doctors are leaving the state service due to poor remuneration and terrible working conditions. The few health workers left are overstretched and cannot adequately meet the healthcare needs of the people,” he stated.
The opposition chairman also raised concerns over maternal healthcare, blaming the shortage of trained midwives for pushing pregnant women into the hands of unregulated Traditional Birth Attendants.
He criticised the Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, accusing him of focusing on minor projects while hospitals allegedly lack equipment and personnel.
Reacting to the allegations, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Nursing, Coco-Bassey Esu, dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the sector, insisting the administration inherited the challenges but had begun addressing them.
“Before now, there was a shortage of manpower but when this government came on board, it approved the employment of 200 nurses, and many of them have received appointment letters,” Esu said.
He added that the state Executive Council had approved the rehabilitation of several hospitals across the state, including facilities in Ukem, Ikot Ene, Ikom, Obudu, Bekwarra and the Infectious Disease Hospital in Calabar.
On complaints over poor remuneration and the exodus of health workers, Esu said the state currently pays 70 per cent of the revised medical salary structure based on its financial capacity.
“The state government approved 70 per cent because of what it can afford and Labour accepted it,” he explained.
Esu also argued that migration among doctors and nurses is a nationwide challenge affecting even federal institutions paying full salaries.
“Teaching Hospitals paying 100 per cent are still losing doctors and nurses. People relocating abroad are doing so because they want to,” he added.
