Kidney Dialysis Referral Centre…

Governor Bassey Otu has approved funding for the completion of the Kidney Dialysis Referral Centre at the General Hospital, Ogoja, in a major boost to specialist healthcare delivery in Northern Cross River. The intervention is expected to improve access to life-saving renal treatment for thousands of residents who currently travel outside the district for dialysis services.

Key Highlights
Governor Bassey Otu approves funding for the Kidney Dialysis Referral Centre in Ogoja.

Centre will provide specialist renal care for residents of Northern Cross River.

Patients currently travel to Makurdi, Abakaliki and Calabar for dialysis treatment.

Government says the project will reduce healthcare costs and improve patient survival.

Ministry of Health pledges timely completion and transparent utilisation of funds.

The state government noted that the absence of a functional dialysis referral centre in Northern Cross River has remained a major healthcare challenge, particularly with the increasing incidence of kidney disease in the area.

For years, patients requiring renal dialysis have been forced to undertake long and expensive journeys to medical facilities in Makurdi, Abakaliki and Calabar, exposing them to additional physical, emotional and financial hardship while seeking life-saving treatment.

Announcing the approval on Friday in Calabar, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, said the intervention underscores Governor Otu’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to quality medical services across the state.

According to the commissioner, the governor approved the release of funds to complete the outstanding civil works required for the installation of dialysis equipment at the proposed Kidney Dialysis Referral Centre located within the General Hospital, Ogoja.

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Ayuk described the project as a strategic investment that will significantly reduce the need for kidney patients to seek treatment outside the northern senatorial district while improving health outcomes for people living with renal disease.

He commended Governor Otu for prioritising the healthcare needs of Cross River residents, describing the approval as another demonstration of the administration’s commitment to delivering people-centred healthcare and expanding access to specialist medical services.

The commissioner assured residents that the Ministry of Health would ensure the prompt and transparent utilisation of the approved funds to guarantee the timely completion of the project and the commencement of dialysis services.

Upon completion, the Kidney Dialysis Referral Centre is expected to serve as a major referral hub for renal care in Northern Cross River, bringing specialist treatment closer to thousands of patients and reducing the financial burden of travelling to neighbouring states for dialysis.