The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River has sharply criticized Governor Bassey Otu, describing the state’s health sector as “shambolic” and warning of an imminent collapse if urgent reforms are not implemented. The opposition party highlighted severe shortages of medical staff, poor infrastructure, and unsafe conditions in hospitals.
General Hospitals in Calabar and Akamkpa, the only functional public facilities, reportedly operate under unstable electricity supply, with surgeries allegedly performed using phone torch lights during power outages. The state is said to have only 99 nurses and fewer than 20 doctors across public facilities, leaving rural communities without adequate healthcare. With few trained midwives, many pregnant women rely on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), contributing to avoidable maternal deaths. In Odukpani Local Government Area, only two nurses are reportedly deployed to a health facility, underscoring the depth of the crisis.
Cross River has long struggled with underfunded healthcare, poor infrastructure, and migration of medical professionals due to low pay and poor working conditions. Nationally, Nigeria’s healthcare system faces systemic issues, including inadequate funding, less than 5% of the national budget, brain drain of doctors and nurses, and reliance on private facilities.
The PDP’s criticism comes amid broader opposition claims that Governor Otu’s administration has failed to deliver democratic dividends despite increased federal allocations. Analysts warn that shortages of personnel and equipment increase mortality rates, especially in rural areas. The opposition is positioning itself as a watchdog, using the health sector crisis to challenge Otu’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
Observers argue that legislation regulating TBAs, improved remuneration for health workers, and investment in infrastructure are critical to reversing the decline. The debate over Cross River’s health sector reflects wider national concerns about the sustainability of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
