By Uket Oka Calabar
The governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has assured that the State Government would pay the hospital bills of victims of the recent gas explosion in Calabar South Local Government Area of the State.
Prince Otu gave the assurance Tuesday when he visited the gas explosion victims who are currently undergoing medical treatment at Peace Medical Centre, Efut Street, Calabar South Local Government Area.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Iornbar, further maintained that, the State Government would partner with the hospital in many other areas as well as relevant healthcare providers to achieve the United Nations Universal Health Coverage in the State.
He noted that affordable healthcare for all, is a cardinal part of his administration’s plan towards achieving the goal.
The governor also thanked God and the people who assisted in evacuating the victims to the hospital, maintaining that the life of all citizens are important, no matter their status in the society.
“I want to really appreciate God Almighty for keeping the victims alive and also the people of Bayside community for immediately moving into action when the ugly incident occurred, to ensure that they did their best to save their lives.
“This is what our administration signifies, looking out for your neighbor and ensuring we are our brother’s keeper. Because it is by so doing that we can build a better and prosperous Cross River State.
“I want to also commend the management of this hospital for putting the lives of the people first, by commencing treatment even without any payment.
“I am happy that they are fast recovering, what we are appealing for is to ensure that adequate care is given to them so that they can fully recover as soon as possible.
“As a government, we are deliberate in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people. And we have identified affordable healthcare for all citizens as a key development component to drive that process. That is why we are working so hard to ensure that we put in proper shape, all our primary health care centers across the state, so as to enable us achieve universal health for all,” the governor stated.
Responding, Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Edet Attih, appreciated the state governor for always looking out for the welfare of the people, maintaining that he was hopeful the state will flourish under the leadership of Prince Bassey Otu as governor.
“It is very touching to receive you here today, this visit shows that the government of Sen. Prince Bassey Otu is indeed that of the People First.
“By the grace of God and with the support of some of the appointees of the government who came here earlier to render financial assistance, we were able to pass the most dangerous stage in burnt management, now I can say that they are responding to treatment and obviously doing well.
“It is because of the People First mantra of the governor and the fact that some of us have known him for a long time as a man of his words, who looks out for the good of all, that we do what we did,” Dr. Attih noted.
Daylight Reporters gathered that, Mr. Prince Effiom, his pregnant wife Joy, a daughter and a-year-old child were involved in a gas explosion that occurred at their residence at No 10 Tete Street, Calabar south Local Government Area, recently.
