By joshua 
Facts Over Propaganda: The Visible Health Sector Gains Under Gov. Otu
By Nathaniel Otaba
The latest outburst by the Cross River State PDP chairman on the health sector is nothing but a desperate attempt to politicize ongoing reforms and distract the public from the undeniable progress being recorded under the administration of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
When Governor Otu assumed office, he inherited years of systemic decay in the health sector, dilapidated facilities, manpower shortages, poor equipment, and abandoned infrastructure. Rather than trading blames, this administration immediately rolled up its sleeves and began the difficult process of rebuilding the sector from the foundation.
Today, Cross River State is witnessing strategic investments and reforms aimed at restoring confidence in public healthcare delivery.
Under Governor Otu’s leadership:
• General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres across the state are undergoing rehabilitation and upgrades.
• The administration has prioritized rural healthcare access through interventions targeted at underserved communities.
• Ongoing recruitment efforts and engagement with relevant agencies are focused on improving manpower shortages in the health sector.
• In a move to curb brain drain and retain qualified professionals, Governor Otu approved an upward review of the remuneration package for medical doctors in Cross River State to align with the Federal Government salary structure for doctors.
• The Governor has also expanded access to healthcare for vulnerable citizens through free healthcare initiatives targeting pregnant women, children, and elderly citizens, in line with his People First agenda aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality and improving access to essential medical services.
• Government has strengthened collaboration with development partners and donor agencies, a mark of responsible governance, not weakness, to expand healthcare interventions and improve maternal and child health services.
• Efforts are ongoing to reposition nursing and health training institutions to meet national accreditation standards and improve training capacity for healthcare professionals through infrastructure upgrades.
• Investments in medical infrastructure, sanitation systems, equipment procurement, and facility modernization are being steadily implemented across state-owned health institutions.
• The administration has also intensified public health campaigns, immunization support, and healthcare outreach programmes across communities in the state.
It is important to state clearly that healthcare challenges are not peculiar to Cross River State alone. The migration of healthcare workers is a national issue affecting virtually every subnational government in Nigeria. However, Governor Otu’s administration is not folding its arms. Concrete measures are already being implemented to improve working conditions, welfare packages, and healthcare infrastructure.
The opposition’s attempt to ridicule ongoing infrastructural inspections by the Honourable Commissioner for Health only exposes their lack of understanding of modern healthcare management. Functional sanitation systems, stable utilities, safe environments, and proper facility maintenance are critical components of quality healthcare delivery globally.
Cross Riverians can clearly see the difference between an administration quietly rebuilding institutions and an opposition desperately searching for headlines.
Governor Bassey Otu remains committed to his People First agenda and will continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of Cross Riverians through sustainable reforms, strategic partnerships, improved welfare for healthcare workers, and deliberate investments in the healthcare sector.
No amount of political propaganda can erase the visible efforts and measurable progress already being made.
Nathaniel Otaba is the SSA Communication to Governor Bassey Otu