Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, on Friday inaugurated a N2.5 billion medical facility owned by Jennifer Etuh Foundation (JEF) in Ochon, Obubra Local Government Area of the state.
The inauguration was notably attended by the former governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke; chairman of JEF, Mr Thomas Etuh; vice-chairman of JEF, Pastor Sarah Omakwu; and trustee of JEF, Emmanuel Etuh.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Out, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, praised the chairman of the foundation, Mr. Thomas Etuh, for building the medical centre in honour of his late wife, Jennifer Etuh.
He promised the state government’s support in order to maintain the facility’s viability. In addition to restating his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s healthcare system, the governor announced that the new facility would be included in the state’s health insurance programme, making it accessible to locals.
“For what we have seen of the facility and to enable our people afford it, we will incorporate the health insurance policy here,” Otu said.
“Also, in our resolve to improve on the health services across the state, we have increased the budgetary allocation to health from 6 percent to 13.5 percent in the 2024 budget,” he said.
At the event, Mr. Etuh stated that his late wife, in her last moments, requested that he construct health facilities in each of the six geopolitical zones so that rural residents could receive medical care. She also requested that the facility in Ochon be built in honour of her late friend, who was born there.
According to him, the Ochon facility was the fifth to be constructed in the previous 24 months. By constructing the medical facility and others across the country, he has fulfilled the promise he made to his wife.
Mr. Etuh mentioned that even while a church or organization would take over for efficient administration, the foundation would still oversee the centre’s facilities.
Also speaking, the vice-chairman of the foundation, Mrs. Omakwu referred to the late Jennifer Etuh as the light that persisted in influencing the lives of people she left behind.
On his part, Senator Imoke praised the foundation for providing the medical facility and said that it had brought development in the community. He urged everyone to work together to address the issues that rural areas face. He pointed out that the problems facing rural communities were too great for the public or private sectors to tackle on their own, so they should rely on one another.
Additionally, Imoke stated that the medical facility would cater to the needs of the rural communities within and outside of the council, exhorting everyone to assume responsibility for the building.
