By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
Hope has risen for students of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) injured in the recent Odukpani road auto crash, following the intervention of Governor Bassey Otu, who has directed the state government to shoulder the full cost of their medical treatment.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this during visits to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and the General Hospital, Calabar, where many of the affected students are receiving treatment.
Ayuk said the governor’s intervention was aimed at easing the financial burden on victims and their families, stressing that the welfare of the students remains a top priority for the administration.
According to him, the government is not only covering treatment costs but is also collaborating closely with medical authorities to ensure the injured students receive quality healthcare and recover fully.
“We are here on the directive of His Excellency to ensure that the burden of managing these students is taken over by the government. They are our own, and we owe them that responsibility,” the commissioner said.
During the visits, Ayuk inspected facilities, interacted with medical personnel and assessed the condition of the injured students, expressing satisfaction with the level of improvement recorded so far.
He noted that several of the students had already been discharged, while those still on admission were responding positively to treatment and showing encouraging signs of recovery.
The commissioner also commended doctors, nurses and other health workers for their professionalism and resilience in sustaining medical services despite recent tensions caused by the student protest that erupted after the accident.
Ayuk further assured residents that full medical services have now been restored at the General Hospital, Calabar, following temporary disruptions linked to the protest.
He said the state government had taken steps to strengthen security around the hospital environment to guarantee the safety of health workers, patients and visitors.
“I want to assure the public that services have fully resumed at the General Hospital, Calabar. The environment is safe, calm, and ready to attend to all medical needs,” he stated.
Also speaking during the visits, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, praised the management of the hospitals for their swift emergency response and quality care given to the victims.
Akiba appealed to students and youths to remain peaceful and avoid destruction of public infrastructure, stressing that government facilities should be protected and strengthened rather than vandalised.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right. We are trying to improve our health facilities, and destroying them is not the way to go. We must work together to strengthen what we have,” he said.
Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at UCTH, Dr. Innocent Abang, disclosed that the hospital rapidly mobilised personnel and resources immediately the victims were brought in, including working with other health facilities to stabilise critical cases.
On behalf of the students, President of the National Association of Cross River State Students (NACRISS), UNICROSS Chapter, Joshua Betebeke, expressed gratitude to Governor Otu, the Ministry of Health and healthcare workers for their timely intervention, noting that the steady recovery of many victims had restored confidence and hope among students across the state.
