Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has been awarded the Nigerian Medical Association's (NMA) prestigious Platinum Meritorious Service Award. This recognition is for his administration's remarkable turnaround of the state's healthcare system. The award is the highest category of recognition the NMA confers, reserved for individuals whose policies, investments, and leadership have produced measurable impact on the health sector and the wellbeing of citizens.
The NMA, Cross River State Branch, bestowed its highest honour on Governor Otu, citing his strategic investments in healthcare financing, infrastructure upgrades, human resource development, institutional restructuring, and security. The award was unanimously approved by NMA members at the association's Annual General Meeting (AGM). Dr. Ezoke Epoke, the immediate past Chairman of the Cross River NMA, presented the award, stating it acknowledges tangible achievements that have positively transformed the entire health sector in the state.
Under Governor Otu's leadership, the state's healthcare system has undergone significant changes. Health sector funding has consistently exceeded 10 percent of the state budget, a significant rise from the five to six percent range seen in previous administrations. This fiscal boost provided the foundation needed to roll out several urgently needed interventions across the healthcare system. The medical body also lauded Governor Otu for prioritizing workforce development, specifically highlighting his approval of a 100 per cent increase in doctors' pay.
The NMA commended the lifting of the embargo on health-sector recruitment and applauded the policy extending the retirement age of frontline health workers to 65 years or 40 years of service. This strategic intervention aims to curb brain drain, address severe shortages, and retain experienced professionals. The association further cited comprehensive upgrades of primary healthcare centres and the phased reconstruction of general and cottage hospitals as clear evidence of the administration's long-term infrastructure strategy.
Dr. Epoke pointed to three landmark laws signed by Governor Otu as game-changers for the healthcare sector. These laws, which include the State Hospital Management Board Law, the Medical Quackery Prohibition Law, and the Drug Management Agency Law, will drive lasting reforms well beyond Otu's tenure in office. The Ex-Cross River NMA helmsman hailed the administration's security efforts for making medical practitioners and their families safe from kidnapping.
In his response, Governor Otu expressed gratitude to the NMA, noting that the accolade serves as both an acknowledgement of his administration's achievements and a call to greater public service. He reassured the NMA that healthcare will remain a top priority, aligning with the core principles of his administration's 'People-First' agenda. The governor also pledged a long-term partnership with the association and other professional bodies to improve healthcare delivery.
The NMA stressed that its assessment was based strictly on measurable performance, entirely free from politics or sentiment. Governor Otu's healthcare transformation extends beyond the construction of hospitals and the procurement of medical equipment, reflecting a deliberate effort to strengthen every layer of the healthcare ecosystem. His administration will focus on reforms that yield lasting institutional benefits, aiming to build a health system that attracts and retains the best hands, where every Cross Riverian can access quality care.
Key points
- Governor Bassey Edet Otu received the Nigerian Medical Association's Platinum Meritorious Service Award for his administration's healthcare transformation in Cross River State.
