By Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Cross River State Government, in collaboration with its development partners, has concluded a two-day Joint Annual Review (JAR) aimed at assessing the performance of the state’s health sector, strengthening accountability, and setting strategic priorities for the 2027 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).
The review, held from July 28 to 29 at the College of Nursing Sciences Hall in Calabar, brought together heads of health agencies, directors, programme managers, monitoring and evaluation officers, federal health institutions, and development partners. Participants assessed the implementation of the 2026 Annual Operational Plan, reviewed sector performance, and identified priorities for the 2027 planning cycle.
Speaking during the review, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, attributed the progress recorded in the sector to sustained investments in primary healthcare, strong collaboration with development partners, and the unwavering support of Governor Bassey Edet Otu for health sector reforms.
He commended the governor for creating an enabling environment for critical reforms, including stronger regulatory frameworks and improved access to essential medicines and medical commodities.
“What we are seeing as achievements in the health sector is largely because we are doing very well in the primary healthcare sector. We appreciate the funding support from our partners. It has been significant because without it, these results would not have been possible,” Ayuk said.
The commissioner also highlighted the recent passage of the Health Quackery (Prohibition) Bill, 2026, describing it as a landmark legislation that would eliminate unlicensed medical practice, curb fake practitioners, and strengthen health regulation through the establishment of a Health Monitoring Task Force.
He further clarified that although eligible health workers may apply for a five-year extension after attaining the retirement age of 60, such approvals are not automatic but are subject to recommendations by the appropriate authorities in line with existing regulations.
The Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. (Mrs.) Vivien Mesembe Otu, identified inadequate funding as one of the major obstacles to implementing programmes across primary healthcare facilities.
She noted that despite careful planning, limited financial resources had affected the execution of several planned interventions.
“We can develop all the plans and conduct all the reviews, but without funding, implementation becomes impossible. Even at the primary healthcare level, I am sure we have not achieved up to 40 per cent of our work plan,” she said.
She, however, acknowledged the contributions of development partners, particularly UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), in supporting primary healthcare services across the state.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonah Bassey Offor, described the review as an important platform for assessing progress, identifying implementation gaps, and strengthening evidence-based planning.
He stressed the need for decision-making to be guided by reliable data rather than assumptions while reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to improved governance, financial accountability, and efficient resource utilisation.
Also speaking, the Cross River State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr. Stanley Effah, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding access to affordable and equitable healthcare through Universal Health Coverage by strengthening provider accreditation, improving quality assurance, and increasing enrolment.
Representing the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordination Office of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Omoruyi Iyahen said the office would continue aligning partner investments and strengthening coordination across the health sector to improve service delivery.
The Cross River State Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Yewande Olatunde, described the review as timely, noting that it provided stakeholders with an opportunity to evaluate progress and chart a more effective path for the future.
She reaffirmed WHO’s continued support for the state’s health priorities, while the Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) also pledged sustained support for critical health interventions.
The Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the Ministry of Health presented an overview of the State Health Management Information System (HMIS), highlighting improvements in reporting through the District Health Information System (DHIS2), enhanced data quality, electronic reporting, and capacity building for health workers.
However, he identified inadequate funding, poor internet connectivity, manpower shortages, and weak private sector reporting as key challenges requiring greater investment and stronger stakeholder collaboration.
Similarly, the SWAp Desk Officer, Mrs. Edith Silas, said the framework remains the state’s principal platform for coordinating health sector interventions, promoting government leadership, partner alignment, and mutual accountability.
Programme managers also presented reports on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Elderly Health and Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N), immunisation, nutrition, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, human resources for health, PHCDA/BHCPF, health insurance, non-communicable diseases, HMIS, health security, and citizen engagement, highlighting achievements, challenges, and progress under the 2026 Annual Operational Plan.
The review concluded with recommendations for stronger programme coordination, improved resource mobilisation, enhanced monitoring and accountability, and sustained collaboration with development partners to strengthen the 2027 Annual Operational Plan and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage in Cross River State.
