Senior citizens, under 5 toddlers to get free healthcare in Cross River

The Cross River State government announced plans to provide free healthcare services for elderly citizens in their 70s and children under five years old. 

Speaking with newsmen on World Health Day in Calabar, Dr Henry Ayuk, the state’s Commissioner for Health, said the proposed free healthcare services for specific age groups aim at promoting health equity. 

These services, he said, would be delivered in well-equipped health facilities, accompanied by outreach programmes to educate various communities.

Dr Ayuk noted efforts to ensure functional hospitals in all local government areas, including ongoing renovations and reconstructions of healthcare facilities like the General Hospital in Ikom and Cottage Hospital in Oban.

He called for collaboration with various agencies to enhance healthcare services, emphasising the importance of prioritising health spending over frivolous expenses. 

Dr Ayuk emphasised that access to good and quality healthcare should be viewed as a right rather than a privilege, affirming the state’s commitment to providing adequate primary healthcare services to all residents.