US-based medical professionals treat 4,000 patients free in C/River

No fewer than 4,000 people in Cross River State have benefitted from the free medical treatment
rendered by medical professionals from the state who are based in the United States.
The professionals, under the aegis of US-based Diaspora Medical Mission Volunteers, organised the
free treatment in conjunction with the Efik National Association.
Head of the medical team, Dr Patricia Bassey, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Calabar, that 4,000 patients were treated and given drugs for various ailments.
“However, many of the patients were referred while others were counselled during the two-week exercise which took place in the three senatorial districts of
the state,” Bassey said.
Another member of the group, Mr Paul Duke, said they embarked on the programme to assist the
patients who could not afford their medical bills in hospitals.

Imoke Flags off Construction of 105-bed Calabar Specialist Hospital

Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has flagged off the construction of 105-bed Calabar Specialist Hospital which is billed for commissioning in March 2015. Located within Summit Hills, Imoke disclosed it is the realization of the state’s dream to provide first- class, world standard health care to Cross River and right across the state in partnership with UCL Health Care Services to achieve its drive, passion and commitment to the facility. According to Imoke: “We are acutely aware of the immense importance of this project, which will not only transform the medical landscaped of the state but will also ultimately enlarge the profile of healthcare delivery in the region and country at large. The ultimate aim is to make Calabar synonymous with the best quality health care available in the country, on par with anything which can be attained in any other part of the world at a substantially reduced cost.” The governor explained that the health care sector in the country has been much maligned over the years and is plagued with series of challenges related to professional competencies in infrastructural, operational and managerial capacities. He stated that as an additional implication to the death of health Care services, there is a vast increase in the importation of health care services not only in Europe, but surprising also from countries such as India, The UAE, South Africa and Egypt, adding that the problem is further compounded by the fact that even those who can afford to pay for healthcare cannot get the value for money that they desire. Imoke said: “Upon completion, the Calabar Specialist Hospital will offer a comprehensive package of secondary, gynaecology, obstetrics, paediatrics, internal medicine, General surgery, orthopaedics’ laboratory services, basic neology and basic cardiology with plans to extend to oncology in the near future. “In addition to resident specialization, the hospital is expected to offer health care through specialist missions in dermatology, urology, eye surgery as well as advanced dental surgery. There will also be gatekeeper clinic offering primary health care services and also to serve as a referral mechanism for the specialist hospital.” The cost of the hospital is N6.4 billion with the state government’s capital contribution set at N3.2 billion while the balance of the financial requirement will be sourced by the concessionaire, UCL HealthCare Services Limited, as its equity contribution to project in true spirit of Public Private Partnership (PPP).