Imoke Calls For The Completion Of Projects At UCTH
CALABAR, JUNE 23, (THEWILL) - Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has called on the Federal Government to ensure the early completion of civil and physical works at the permanent site of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) to enable it attain its status as a referral centre.
Speaking while receiving the management and board members of UCTH led by its Chairman His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr) AYE Dirisu Okukpellagbe of Okpella, Edo State, Imoke reasoned that the call is borne out of the fact that over the last three years there has been need to improve health care delivery system in the state, adding that while there is need for manpower training and capacity building there is also need for the reengineering of the health sector with the assistance of the teaching hospital in order to create access to health care as well as the social welfare scheme to the populace.
Imoke commended the institution for partnering the state in its collaborative effort to strength both the primary and secondary health care sectors, stressing that the early completion of all ongoing works at its permanent site will raise its status to that of a referral institution to enable it support the state irrespective of its challenges.
He said the completion of the permanent site like its counterparts all over the country will enable the state repossess its current temporary site, Saint Margaret Hospital which is a historical facility that the state would want to develop, adding that it will also enhance the training of more people while pledging the state’s support in that direction.
The Governor noted that both have enjoyed good cordiality over the years as the state government has ensured its total commitment to health care delivery and it cannot be achieved without the cooperation of the institution.
Imoke lauded the management team for its good work to the state and beyond and wished them a successful tenure which at the end members will be proud of their achievements.
The Chairman of the UCTH Board, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr) A.Y.E. Dirisu Okukpellagbe-Okpella, Edo State, said they were inaugurated on March, 6, 2009 and held　their first meet March 23, stressing that they are determined to improve the quality at the institution which metamorphosed from old Saint Margaret Hospital.
Dirisu disclosed that the hospital has improved since 1979 as its services are being enjoyed in the state and beyond and it is its desire to produce quality medical personnel, explaining the federal government has commenced some rehabilitation work in various departments since 2002 and it has progressed and made remarkable strides in its health sector programmes as well as afford some resident doctors under the employ of the state government the opportunity to sit for their examinations there.
He said the institution had in 1991 established a primary health centre in the catchment and that local government councils should be encouraged to assist for the programme to succeed as the hospital is encountering some challenges in that direction while calling on Nigerians to contribute to the hospital by sponsoring various projects to enable it provide quality and excellent service.