The Cross River State government and the World Health Organisation have commenced moves to end the large scale migration of health workers from the state.
This is through the development of a Human Resources for Health Policy for the state.
In line with this, the state’s health ministry in partnership with the World Health Organisation, held a four day workshop on the review of the State HRH Policy and Strategic plan in Ikom, Cross River State.
Speaking during the workshop, Dr. Ogonna Nwankwo, a consultant Public Health Physician with expertise in Health Policy and Health Systems said the document will look at the migration challenge from multiple eyes and proffers solutions.
“We are trying to put up a policy that will guide government and other actors in the health sector.
” It’s about how to ensure we have adequate numbers of health workers, well distributed and able to perform at the highest possible level.
“A high number of our health workers are leaving to neighbouring countries and states so this document will look at the problem from multiple eyes and how to fix them”, he said.
Also speaking, Ola Williams, a representative from the Federal Ministry of Health said they hope to offer their technical support to the state to ensure Cross River has a policy that reflects current realities.
He added that the federal government has already developed a National HRH Policy and states are to develop their policy accordingly.
Director of Administration in the Cross River State State Ministry of Health Agba Williams urged all participants to make useful contributions to ensure a robust HRH Policy for the state.
Also speaking, Salome Solomon, the WHO State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer said the policy is like a guide that will tell government what to do and how to do it.
She added that HRH is challenging not just in Cross River and urged participants to put in all their strength and ideas.
