More doctors needed to stop rising deaths – Lawmakers

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has urged the state Ministry of Health to take immediate action by hiring, training, and deploying more medical professionals, particularly doctors, to hospitals throughout the state.

This call comes in response to concerning reports of rising deaths in Obubra Local Government Area (LGA), attributed to a severe shortage of doctors.

During a tense session in the Assembly, Hon. Ovat Agbor, the representative for Obubra 1 State Constituency, highlighted the critical healthcare situation in his constituency.

“The situation in Obubra LGA is untenable. The General Hospital in Obubra has only one resident doctor, who is overwhelmed by the patient demand,” Agbor explained.

“This has resulted in diminished healthcare quality, long waiting times, and a higher risk of misdiagnosis. People are dying unnecessarily,” he added.

He further warned that the overburdened doctor could face burnout, which would have serious repercussions for both patients and the healthcare provider.

Lawmakers from all parties joined Agbor in expressing concern, stressing the high mortality rate in the LGA.

They underscored the urgent need to recruit more doctors and other healthcare professionals into the state service and ensure their deployment to public hospitals across the state.

The motion’s co-sponsors, including House Leader Hon. Francis Bassey Asuquo (Odukpani), Deputy Leader Rt. Hon. Davis Etta (Abi), Hon. Martins Achadu (Yala 2), and Hon. Bette Obi (Boki 2), all supported the call for prompt government action.

They urged the state government to not only focus on hiring additional doctors but also to enhance their pay packages in order to retain them.

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