The Government of Cross River State has partnered the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA to curb illegal drug peddling in the state. The Government also enjoined Medical Practitioners to collaborate with the state to stamp out quackery in the system. This was stated during the 2018 Physicians’ Week in Calabar.

 

Declaring the 2018 Annual Physicians’ Week of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) with the theme “Universal Health Coverage; Leaving No One Behind” open, the State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, said it will help set the state atop.

 

“Our vision in the State is obtaining sustainable Universal Health Coverage, UHC and as well as elimination of medical quackery. In line with achieving this, we have inaugurated a committee on fake drugs and abuse in collaboration with Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

 

“Also, inline with the rest of the world we commemorate the Pink October as it is the breast cancer campaign and awareness month to give prominence to the fight against breast cancer.

 

“In conclusion, all schools of Nursing and Midwifery in the State has been accredited, we have successfully launched the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme, renovated and equipped our Primary Health Care centres and the Calabar Phamarceutical Company (CalaPharm) is 95% completed, all of these are indications of how important the health sector is in achieving development,” she said.

 

Dr. Inyang Asibong, Honourable Commissioner for Health, Cross River State

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association in the State, Dr. Agam Ayuk, called on all health stakeholders to show their support by partnering with the sector to Achieve the Universal Health Coverage.

 

The Director General of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Joseph Bassey, as well as other stakeholders took turns to give their remarks and goodwill messages as the event was declared open.

 

The annual Physicians’ Week which is being hosted in Calabar, the State capital is basically a gathering of medical practitioners in the State to brainstorm and fork out ways of improving service delivery to ensure overall patient safety and uphold medical professionalism.

Frankie Ifop | Calabar Reporters