To checkmate the maternal mortality rate in Cross River, the State Government has decided to introduce free qualitative medical care for pregnant women and infants across the State.
In addition, the State has also decided to upgrade the salaries of health workers to lure them to work in the various government clinics, which have been facing manpower challenges for some time.
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Henry Ayuk while interacting with newsmen in Calabar the State capital, disclosed the information and also hinted government solution to tackling the issue of manpower in the health sector.
He said Gov. Otu hope to draw prospective career staff to fill in the gap created because of the massive retirement of health workers, especially the Nurses, and to achieve this the State has decided to take drastic steps by increasing the welfare package of health workers, including new salary package for Medical Doctors on the payroll.
Dr. Ayuk stated that part of the reason why the State has been facing the manpower challenge is that the last administration found it difficult to retain the services of the Medical Doctors due to poor remuneration and poor welfare package. But with the introduction of a juicy welfare package by Governor Otu, it will bring solution to the problem.
Ayuk said the State also hope to upgrade the infrastructures and facilities that are below standard in the various government clinics, to meet globally acceptable standards.
